MULTAN: Founding PPP member and veteran politician Rana Taj Ahmad Noon died after a short illness on Saturday. He was 103.

He remained admitted to a private hospital for over a week.

Taj Noon was elected MNA thrice -- 1972-77, 1977 and 1988-90. In the 1970 general elections, he had defeated Syed Hamid Raza Gilani, the uncle of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Last time he was seen at a political activity in 2015 by his nephew, Rana Qasim Noon. It was also reported that he had joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, but Rana Taj was swift to deny the reports and remained associated with the PPP till his last breath.

He was brother-in-law of former MNA Rana Shaukat Hayat Noon, uncle of MNA Rana Qasim Noon, MPA Rana Ejaz Noon and former MPA Rana Sohail Noon.

Mr Gilani offered condolence on the demise of Taj Noon, saying he was the old companion of PPP founder chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and he did great services for the party.

He said Rana Taj Ahmad Noon had played an important and active role in both national and regional politics.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2017