Former defence minister and senior PPP leader Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar passed away in Lahore on Wednesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Ahmad Mukhtar had served as defence, water and power and commerce minister at different times. He had also worked with late PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto as party’s general secretary.

His Namaz-i-Janaza was offered at 1.30pm at T-Block Mosque in Lahore’s Defence area on Wednesday. The funeral prayer was led by Hameedur Rehman.

Several politicians including Ayaz Sadiq and Majid Mansoor attended the funeral.

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Ahmad Mukhtar was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and was admitted to Shalimar Hospital, a health facility he and his family helped to develop, earlier this month.

Ahmad Mukhtar had also undergone surgery in the United States some time ago.

Born in Lahore, Mukhtar studied Operational Management from California, United States and did a diploma in Plastic Technology from West Germany. He was also a graduate of forman Christian College University. 

Mukhtar started his political career in 1990 from PPP platform. Mukhtar also served as PIA chairman from May 2008. He was an industrialist and was commerce minister in the 1993-96 Benazir Bhutto government.

He became the defence minister in the coalition government of PPP, PML-N, ANP and JUI-F formed after 2008 elections on 31 March, 2008.