Former Governor of Punjab and National Assembly member, Mian Muhammad Azhar, passed away on Tuesday after a brief illness. He was the father of PTI leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar.
Mian Azhar had been unwell for some time and died today. His funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.
Mian Muhammad Azhar started his political career with Pakistan Muslim League. He was first elected as a councillor and later became Lord Mayor of Lahore. During Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, he resigned from the post of Punjab Governor after the National Assembly was dissolved.
Following his resignation, Mian Azhar remained inactive in politics for a period. He returned to political activity after Nawaz Sharif’s exile to Saudi Arabia and led the PML ‘Like-Minded Group’.
He and his brother Mian Muhammad Ashraf contested the 2002 general elections but were unsuccessful. After the loss, he stepped back from politics again.
Mian Azhar later joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the request of his son Hammad Azhar. PTI founder Imran Khan visited him personally at his residence. Though he joined PTI, he remained politically inactive until 2024.
In the 2024 general elections, Mian Muhammad Azhar contested the National Assembly seat in place of Hammad Azhar and won.
