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Ian Mohammad Azhar, a veteran politician, a former Punjab Governor and mayor of Lahore, died July 22 at the age of 83. His death identified the departure of a politician, whose career had spanned a very tiring decades, whose political heritage is likely to remain relevant for a long time.
Born in a prominent business family, Mian Azhar raised himself with the grace and patience of an older political generation. He increased the ranks of the Pakistan Muslim League at a time when politics still had the scope of civilization and discretion. He was elected mayor in the late 1980s, making a name for himself as a firm administrator. In 1990, he was appointed by the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
As a governor, his close people said that he preferred to stay away from the politics of confrontation. With the difference between Nawaz Sharif and the military establishment, it will change. After the 1999 military coup that expelled Nawaz, Mian Azhar recognized himself politically and played a vital role in forming the Pakistan Muslim League (Leader), which is widely seen as a group -backed group under General Pervez Musharraf.
He became the founder president of the PML -Q, but his political fate won his political fate when he lost his National Assembly seat in Lahore in the 2002 general election. While his party led the coalition governments in Islamabad and Lahore, Mian Azhar ignored himself. Chaudhry Shujat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi gradually took over the party. The election defeat marked the beginning of the withdrawal of election activity, but not politics. He was a respected elderly politician, offering a lawyer and guidance to young leaders.
In a surprising political return, Mian Azhar returned to the National Assembly in the 2024 general election. Running as an independent candidate, Pakistan-backed Pakistan Troke-I-Insaf, he won his Lahore election when the PTI was ousted from power. His victory was viewed as both personal perseverance and a reminder of his sustainable stature. Although he maintained a low profile in Parliament, his presence on the opposition benches gave silent weight on PTI’s parliamentary presence. As an elder in the party, his role was acknowledged by both senior leaders and newcomers.
Some of his critics acknowledged that he did not allow political stability to compromise with his personal dignity. In a political culture, there is often noise and narcissism, he has been a man of humble and patience, till the end.
After his death, he suffered condolences across the political spectrum. Talking to the news on Sunday, former Federal Federal Food Chaudhry said, “Mian Azhar was praised as his grace, political era and states. He led many emerging political figures, including his son Hamad Azhar.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal also expressed his grief and told TNS: “I am very sad about the death of former Governor Mian Azhar. We have a long -standing relationship with our family and I have a personal relationship with it. He was a manifestation of good character and politics.”
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif described his death as a “personal and national loss”. He said he was praying for his pardon. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif echoed similar sentiments, recognizing Azhar’s decades of public service. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and several federal ministers joined the condolences of the experienced politician, as was also done by former PTI Muslim League colleagues and PTI leaders.
The effect had gone beyond politics. Mian Azhar was a successful businessman and gentleman who supported health care and education measures. His role in promoting sports, especially football, was enough. This week was acknowledged by the Pakistan Football Federation, which he was once president.
At the funeral prayer held in Lahore, political figures, business leaders and fans participated in a vast field. It was a rare exhibition of unity in the dissolved political scenario in another case, a tribute to a person who had friends in the party lines.
Mian Mohammad Azhar’s career was not without controversy. Many people were criticized for separating Nawaz Sharif in a way and leading the Muslim League QQ under a military government. But most of his critics acknowledged that he did not allow political stability to compromise with his personal dignity. In a political culture, there is often noise and narcissism, he has been a man of humble and patience, till the end.
Then he has a personal integrity in his wife, children and an inheritance. Since the country is caught up with political polarization and generation of generations, the death of Mian Azhar reminds us of an era when differences have not eliminated the complaint. His life was proof of the belief that politics could be respected.
The author is a journalist based in Lahore. He has reported about politics, economy and militancy. It can be reached on X @Hassannaqvi5 on X