ISLAMABAD, Jan 2: Political leaders and federal ministers have condoled the death of former Punjab chief minister and ex-speaker of the provincial assembly Mohammad Hanif Ramay.

Chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has expressed his grief and sorrow over the death of renowned intellectual, artist and politician Hanif Ramay and paid tribute to his services for the country.

In a message from Jeddah on Monday, the PML-N leader said late Ramay was among very few people who played an important role in the national politics despite belonging to a middle class family.

Mr Ramay was first known as an artist, but soon he became an intellectual and a journalist. Later, he acquired important political positions, he added.

The PML-N chief said one could differ with the thinking of late Ramay but it was a fact that he was a true and sincere Pakistani. He prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss.

Meanwhile, PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq, acting president Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, acting parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, secretary general Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and information secretary Siddiqul Farooque have also condoled the death of Mr Ramay.

In their separate messages to the bereaved family, Speaker National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain and Deputy Speaker Sardar Mohammad Yaqub said Mr Ramay was a seasoned politician and during his long political carrier he served the country with great sense of patriotism and dedication.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said Pakistan had lost a prominent politician, artist and a man of letters.

He recalled his association with Mr Ramay’s struggle for the rights of the citizens of Pakistan. He expressed his sympathy with the bereaved family and prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace.

Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal and Minister of State for Defence Zahid Hamid also expressed their deep grief over the death of Mr Ramay.

In their messages to the bereaved family, they prayed to Allah to bless the departed soul and grant fortitude to the bereaved family.