PTI announces three-day mourning on demise of Naeemul Haq

The ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday announced three-day mourning over the demise of Naeem-ul-Haq, a PTI founding member and one of the most trusted confidantes of Prime Minister Imran Khan. In this regard, the PTI announced to suspend all political activities over Haq's demise, who was also the Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Political Affairs.

According to a PTI press release, the party decided to hold Fateha Khawani and Quran Khawani for the late party leader in the party Central Secretariat.

PTI Chief Organizer Saifullah Khan Niazi, Secretary General Aamir Mahmood Kiyani, Central Vice President and Administrator Central Secretariat Zahid Hussain Kazmi, Central Secretary Information Ahmed Jawad, Central Secretary Finance Siraj Ahmed and other leaders expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of Naeem-ul-Haq, the statement said. "The demise of the party founding member is a great loss for the party and a tragic and painful incident," it added.

Zahid Kazmi said that PTI would observe three-day mourning over tragic death of its late senior leader. He said that during the next three days, all political activities of PTI will remain suspended countrywide. The central secretariat of PTI will be open for condolences and central leaders as well as activists will hold Fateha Khawani of the Quran in memory of their beloved companion, he added. He further said that the party leadership would arrange special prayers for late Naeem-ul-Haq in their respective regions, "as the party lost the most-trusted and sincere leader."

Haq passed away in Karachi on Saturday after his long battle with cancer. His wife also died of cancer years ago. The deceased PTI leader is survived by a son and a daughter. He was buried in Karachi on Sunday and a large number of dignitaries attended his funeral prayer but the PM did not attend the funeral prayer and was in the federal capital.

"Am devastated by one of my oldest friend Naeem's passing. He was one of the 10 founding members of PTI and by far the most loyal. In 23 years of PTI's trials and tribulations, he stood by me. He was always there for support whenever we were at our lowest ebb. In the last two years I saw him battle cancer with courage and optimism. Till the very end he was involved in Party affairs and attended cabinet meetings as long as he was able. His passing has left an irreplaceable void," the PM wrote in a couple of tweets on Saturday.