BAHAWALPUR: For­mer MNA Makhdum Ali Hassan Gilani, a close relative of Senate Chair­man Yousaf Raza Gilani, was among two people killed in a road accident near Nabipur village on Uch Sharif Road on Sunday.

Three other people suffered injuries in the accident that took place 70km from Bahawalpur in the morning, according to the 1122 emergency service.

The rescuers said Mr Gilani along with his four companions was coming by a Fortuner car to Uch, also known as Uch Sharif. The car hit a Shehzore truck, which was parked on the road edge, near Nabipur. Mr Gilani (52) and Akbar Khan (57) of Jhandeer Kotla in Lodhran district died on the spot while Mohammad Hanif, Jind Wadda and an unidentified person suffered serious injuries. They were taken to the tehsil headquarters hospital, Ahmedpur East.

The funeral prayer of Mr Gilani was offered at Uch Sharif, which was attended by a large number of people. He was laid to rest on the premises of Ghausal Azam Darbar in Uch Sharif.

Mr Gilani was twice elected to the National Assembly from Uch. During the previous rule of PML-N, he served as federal parliamentary secretary for science and technology. He took part in the Feb 8 election on a PPP ticket, but lost the contest. His brother Syed Aamir Shah was elected to the provincial assembly on a PPP ticket from the area.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Senate chairman condoled Mr Gilani’s death.

In separate messages, the two leaders paid homage to Mr Gilani and acknowledged his parliamentary services.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024