Naeemul Haq laid to rest

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s founding leader Naeemul Haq, who died of protracted illness a day earlier, was laid to rest in Gizri graveyard in DHA, amid tears and anguish on Sunday. Haq, who was considered to be close aide of Prime Minister Imran Khan, had been fighting cancer for last couple of years. He passed away at the age of 70.

The funeral prayers, led by Maulana Tanveerul Haq Thanvi, were held at Ayesha Masjid in DHA.

Prominent figures were Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Deputy Speaker of National Assembly Qassim Soori, Federal Ministers Aijaz Shah, Ali Zaidi, Farogh Naseem and Asad Umer, City Nazim Waseem Akhtar, PTI leaders MNA Aftab Siddiqui, Khurram Sher-uz-Zaman, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Dr. Pervaiz Ghaffar, PTI MPA from Khayber Pakhtoonkhwa Faizullah, former minister of Sindh Irfanullah Khan Marwat, business leaders Siraj Kassem Teli and Aqil Karim Dhedi and Sindh Inspector General of Police Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam.

Besides, leaders of political parties including MQM-Pakistan, PPP, PSP and PML-N, people from different walks of life also attended the last rituals. Prime Minister Imran Khan took to twitter as saying, "Am devastated by Naeem's passing. He was one of the 10 founding members of the PTI and by far the most loyal. In 23 years of PTI's trials and tribulations, he stood by me."

PM Khan said Haq was always there for support whenever they were at their lowest ebb. In January 2018, Haq was diagnosed with blood cancer. When the PTI finally came into power later that year, he was appointed as special assistant on political affairs to PM. PTI tweeted its condolences, describing him as "a dedicated Pakistani, a loyal friend and a kind human being."