ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stalwart Syed Abrar Hussain Rizvi died on Sunday in the capital due to heart failure.

He was 79. Mr Rizvi was member of PPP Federal Council. He started his political career at the age of 20 back in 1964 during the election campaign of Fatima Jinnah. Later, he joined PPP and remained associated with it till his death.

According to his son Kashif Rizvi, Abrar Rizvi served as National Press Club (NPC) secretary for four years from 1978 to 1982. He remained the president and secretary PPP Islamabad chapter from 1987 till 2000. Besides politics, he was senior vice president of Islamabad Cricket Association. Last month, his wife Shahnaz Tatari died following a cardiac arrest. Mr Rizvi’s funeral was attended by a large number of people belonging to different walks of life. He was laid to rest at the H-8 graveyard.

Former president Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PPP General Secretary Nayyar Bokhari, former senator Farhatullah Babar and others expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Abrar Rizvi.

In a condolence message issued by the PPP Secretariat, Asif Zardari said the late Abrar Rizvi was a prominent leader who served the party with zeal and dedication.

He said the services of Abrar Rizvi would always be remembered. Mr Zardari prayed for eternal peace of the deceased soul and courage for his family members to bear the loss.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Abrar Rizvi was a loyal party worker, who showed his loyalty with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto with courage.

He said Mr Rizvi faced jail and hardships but always stood by the party. PPP General Secretary Nayyar Bokhari said that the entire PPP is in a state of grief.

Meanwhile, Farhatullah Babar said Abrar Rizvi was loyal to the Bhutto family and his death is a big loss for the party.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2023