Senior politician Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, who remained associated with the PML-N during turbulent periods faced by the party leadership, passed away after a prolonged illness on Saturday. He was 65.

Raja had been suffering from various ailments. He was first hospitalised in August 2018.

During his long political career, he was elected as MPA in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997 and 2013 from Rawalpindi. He also served as the PML-N Punjab secretary-general.

He took a break from electoral politics during the Musharraf government and paid full attention to organising the party.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif expressed his sorrow and grief over the demise of the senior party leader, saying he was an intelligent politician and trusted ally of Nawaz Sharif, adding that his services would be remembered forever.

https://twitter.com/pmln_org/status/1248869166741884928

Raja Ashfaq passed away on a day which also saw the demise of senior politician Raja Muhammad Afzal – who was once a close associate of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif – before switching his loyalties in 2013.

Earlier this week, former PML-N secretary general Saranjam Khan had also passed away. He was also a close aide and loyalist of Nawaz Sharif.

He remained loyal to the party even during the Musharraf government, at a time when many had opted to change their loyalties.

Saranjam fully supported Begum Kulsoom Nawaz when his husband was imprisoned by Musharraf.

That’s the reason why Maryam Nawaz had described him as a great associate and leader of PML-N.

https://twitter.com/MaryamNSharif/status/1248201719185649664

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOavNaBX4NU