RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior parliamentarian Najma Hameed will be laid to rest on Sunday (today) after Zohar prayer and her funeral prayer will be held at Aqsa Mosque at Satellite Town F-Block. 

She passed away on Saturday at the age of 78 after a prolonged illness. The deceased is survived by three sons.

Najma Hameed was the elder sister of PML-N leader Tahira Aurangzeb and the maternal aunt of Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. She was also considered to be very close to PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif and his spouse Kulsoom Nawaz.

She spent her entire life with the PML, and her residence in Satellite Town, Rawalpindi was always the centre of political activities. She was known to be a brave and intelligent political leader. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over her demise.

“Grieved to hear about the passing of Begum Najma Hameed, ex-PML-N Senator & the aunt of Marriyum Aurangzeb,” the premier stated on his twitter handle.

He highlighted that Najma was a “committed and loyal party leader who served the country, party and democracy with dedication”.

He prayed for the departed soul and condoled with the family. 

PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif also grieved over Najma’s demise, stating that he had lost a “compassionate, sincere and supportive sister” whose void will never be filled.

“She was a righteous and courageous political leader with strong ideals, a figure of sincerity and political tact,” Nawaz said in a statement.

He further said Najma had never panicked in any storm and remained loyal to political ideals and the party.

The former prime minister said that the late senator’s support to his late wife was like an “iron wall” during the latter’s political struggle. She was like a sister to Kulsoom Nawaz.

“She was a Muslim League member since birth, and remained one from the creation of Pakistan till her death,” he said, adding that Pakistan, the ideology of Pakistan, and democracy were embedded in her being.

Nawaz saluted her for her services to the country, its people, the PML-N and democracy. 

Former President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed sorrow and grief over the demise of PML-N senior parliamentarian.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2022