LAHORE: Former PPP Senator Gulzar Ahmed Khan passed away here on Sunday. He was 80.

A family member of Gulzar told Dawn that he had been suffering from lungs and heart problems for the last two years. He was admitted to a private hospital in Johar Town. On Sunday morning, his condition deteriorated and he breathed his last. Funeral prayers for the deceased will be held on Tuesday (tomorrow) at 2pm at his residence near Hussain Chowk, Gulberg.

“A grandson of Mr Gulzar is coming from the US to attend the funeral; therefore, it will be held on Tuesday,” his relative said.

Hailing from Dera Ismael Khan, Gulzar joined the PPP in the 1970s. He was considered close to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. Benazir would sometimes stay at his house when she visited Lahore. He remained a federal minister and also served as an adviser to Benazir Bhutto when she was the prime minister.

Gulzar’s two sons - Waqar Ahmad and Ammar Ahmed - were also senators on the PPP tickets.

PPP Punjab president Manzoor Wattoo has expressed condolences on the demise of Gulzar, terming him an invaluable asset for the PPP.

“Gulzar had close association with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto and his contributions to the party will be long remembered.

His demise is a great loss for the family as well as party because his ideological commitment was worth emulating for the workers. He remained loyal to the party and its leadership till his last breath,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 5th , 2015

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