Former Punjab MPA Zaeem Qadri passes away in Lahore

Senior politician and former Member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, Syed Zaeem Qadri, passed away on Friday in Lahore after suffering a cardiac ailment. He was 60,  reported the 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to family sources, Zaeem Qadri had been under treatment at a private hospital in Lahore for the past three days due to heart-related complications. Despite medical efforts, he could not recover.

His funeral prayers will be offered today at 6 pm on Lawrence Road, Lahore, where political leaders, lawyers, social figures, and citizens are expected to attend in large numbers.

Zaeem Qadri was a seasoned lawyer and politician who served as a Member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from 2008 to May 2018. He was also an Executive Member of the Lahore Gymkhana Club, reflecting his active presence in Lahore’s social and political circles.

Before parting ways with the Pakistan Muslim League (N) in 2018, he remained an influential party figure. During his political career, he served as a provincial minister, adviser to then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and spokesman for the Punjab government.

Born on December 25, 1964, in Lahore, Zaeem Qadri belonged to a distinguished legal and political family. His uncle, Syed Shamim Hussain Qadri, served as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) and was also associated with politics.

Zaeem Qadri earned his LL.B degree in 1988 from Quaid-e-Azam Law College and later completed his Master of Business Administration in 1991 from the Canadian School of Management Sciences. He was married to fellow politician Uzma Qadri.

He entered electoral politics after being elected to the Punjab Assembly from PP-154 (Lahore-XIII) in the June 2008 by-elections, securing 8,211 votes. He was re-elected from the same constituency in the 2013 general elections.

In November 2016, he was inducted into the Punjab cabinet and appointed Provincial Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs. In June 2018, he resigned from PML-N and announced his decision to contest the general elections as an independent candidate.

Mohsin Naqvi expresses grief

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has expressed deep sorrow over the death of senior politician Zaeem Qadri.

In a message of condolence, the minister conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and paid tribute to Qadri’s political and social services, calling them “noteworthy and commendable.”

He prayed that God grant the departed soul a place in His infinite mercy and provide patience to the grieving family. “Ameen,” the minister added in his message.

Laid to Rest at Miani Sahib

Zaeem Qadri was laid to rest after his funeral prayers in Lahore.

The funeral prayers were led by Rifaat Hussain Qadri, after which the burial took place at the historic Miani Sahib Graveyard. A large number of political and social figures, along with family members, attended the last rites of the late leader.

Among those present were Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Other attendees included former MNA Mehr Ishtiaq, former Deputy Mayor Mian Tariq, Bilal Ahmed Butt, Nadeemul Hassan Shah, senior journalist Fasihullah, provincial minister Rana Iqbal, MNA Hafiz Noman, Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman, Coordinator to the Prime Minister Talha Burki, senior PML-N leaders Rana Arsalan and Ahsan Sharafat, Ali Dar, Razak Jattal, MPA Samiullah Khan, Shahbaz Chaddhar, Ashfaq Jatt, Asim Naseer, former minister Fawad Chaudhry, Mian Naseer, Salman Ghani, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, MNA Saba Sadiq, Mian Muhammad Ali Moin, former MNA Anaza Ehsan Butt and Provincial Minister Bilal Yasin.

Special prayers were offered for the elevation of the deceased’s rank in the hereafter.

According to family sources, Zaeem Qadri had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital for the past three days due to a heart condition. However, his health deteriorated and he could not survive.

Reporters: Hasan Ali and Awais Kiyani