PTI senior leader Naeem-ul-Haq passes away
PTI senior leader Naeem-ul-Haq passed away on Saturday evening, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has confirmed. He was 70.
His funeral prayers will be offered at Ayesha Mosque in DHA, Karachi after Asr prayers on Sunday.
Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary also announced the sad news in a tweet. Fawad said Naeem fought cancer like a lion and praised him as a colleague and elder.
Naeem Ul Haq fought like a lion aagainstt Cancer, a friend, elder and a colleague .... will always be missed... may Allah Rest his soul in peace #RIPNaeemUlHaq
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 15, 2020
Naeem, who was serving as special assistant to the prime minister, was suffering from blood cancer. He was shifted to Aga Khan Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in Karachi early on Saturday. He flew to Karachi from Islamabad four days ago.
Naeem is among the pioneers of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf that was formed in 1996. He has served as its central information secretary and president of the PTI Sindh. He dedicated his entire youth to the PTI and did not remarry after his wife's death. He remained with Imran Khan like his shadow. He donated his house to the PTI and stood by Imran Khan in every high and low. He would flare up if somebody would say anything against Imran Khan. He wouldn't tolerate even a single word against Imran Khan. He threw the glass at someone on a live TV programme for speaking bad about Imran Khan. He was highly emotional and his politics revolved around Imran Khan. May God rest his soul in eternal peace.
The PTI announced the news on its official Twitter page.
A dedicated Pakistani, a loyal friend and a kind human being, the entire PTI Family is aggrieved upon @naeemul_haque ‘s sad demise. May Allah bless his soul in the highest ranks of Jannah.
— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 15, 2020
Prime Minister Imran Khan and members of his cabinet will fly to Karachi on Sunday to attend Naeem's funeral prayers. The prime minister said in a tweet he was devastated by the news of Naeem's passing.
Am devastated by one of my oldest friend Naeem's passing. He was one of the 10 founding mbrs of PTI & by far the most loyal. In 23 yrs of PTI's trials & tribulations, he stood by me. He was always there for support whenever we were at our lowest ebb.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 15, 2020
The prime minister praised Naeem for his courage and optimism in the fight against cancer.
In the last two years I saw him battle cancer with courage and optimism. Till the very end he was involved in Party affairs and attended cabinet meetings as long as he was able. His passing has left an irreplaceable void.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 15, 2020