Former Punjab chief minister Mian Manzoor Wattoo passes away

Former Punjab chief minister and senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo passed away after a prolonged illness, 24NewsHD TV reported on Tuesday. He was 86.

Family sources said Wattoo had been suffering from respiratory and other ailments for several years. His body will be shifted from his residence in Model Town, Lahore, to his native village Wasawaywala. Funeral prayers will be offered on Wednesday at 2pm at Chak One SP Wasawaywala, Tehsil Dipalpur, District Okara.

Born on August 14, 1939, in Wasawaywala, Tehsil Dipalpur, District Okara, Manzoor Wattoo had a long and eventful political career spanning several decades. He served as president of PPP Central Punjab and held a number of key political offices at both provincial and federal levels.

Wattoo began his political career in local government and was elected chairman of the Okara District Council in 1983. In 1985, he was elected to the Punjab Assembly and became Speaker of the House, a position to which he was elected three times. He later served as a member of the Punjab Assembly as an independent in 1988.

In 1993, Wattoo was elected to both the National Assembly and the Punjab Assembly on the platform of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI). He founded the Pakistan Muslim League–Jinnah in 1995 and was elected to the National Assembly from the party in 1996. He later joined the PPP after winning an election as an independent candidate.

Mian Manzoor Wattoo served as chief minister of Punjab three times. His first term was from April 25 to May 29, 1993, followed by a second term from October 20, 1993, to September 12, 1995. He briefly served a third term in November 1996. Overall, he served as the 11th chief minister of Punjab from 1993 to 1995 and again in 1996, amid periods of political instability and tussles between the federal and provincial governments.

At the federal level, Wattoo served as minister for industry and production from 2008 to 2013, and also held the portfolio of minister for Kashmir affairs during the same period.

Condolences pour in

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of the senior politician, paying tribute to his services as Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, chief minister, federal minister and in other important political roles. The president said Wattoo played a significant role in strengthening democratic institutions and addressing regional issues, adding that his wisdom, leadership and contributions to national unity would be remembered. He prayed for the departed soul and for patience for the bereaved family.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also expressed condolences, saying the services of the late Mian Manzoor Wattoo to Pakistan’s politics would always be remembered. The prime minister prayed for the elevation of the deceased’s ranks and extended sympathies to the family.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan expressed grief over Wattoo’s passing, acknowledging his valuable services in various positions, including as chief minister of Punjab. He said Wattoo’s contributions to the party and the country would be remembered for a long time and prayed for patience for the bereaved family.

Reporter: Hassan Ali, Awais Kiyani