Former Defence Minister served as Chairman of PIA (Pakistan International Airlines), Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, passed away on Tuesday, 24th November 2020, at 74 years old.
A veteran member of the Pakistan People’s Party who spent a brief period of time in the party and held the position of Defence Minister in the Yousaf Raza Gilani led cabinet; he was a well-reputed, well-respected politician and public figure of Pakistan.
Earlier this month, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar had been admitted to Shalimar Hospital from his Lahore residence, a hospital that Mukhtar and his family facilitated to develop. Mukhtar was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Condolences on the demise
The leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party expressed grief over the demise of Mr. Mukhtar. Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party, Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, expressed his condolences to the deceased family and remembered Mukhtar as an experienced leader and a valuable member.
چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا سابق وفاقی وزیر چوہدری احمد مختار کے انتقال پر دکھ و افسوس کا اظہار
چوہدری احمد مختار ایک ثابتقدم و تجربیکار رہنما اور پارٹی کا سرمایہ تھے: بلاول بھٹو زرداری@BBhuttoZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) November 25, 2020
In a tweet, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also expressed their condolences on their former Chairman’s death on behalf of CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik and the administration.
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar – Former Defence Minister & Chairman PIA, breathed his last today. May Allah rest his soul in heaven. On behalf of CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik & PIA Family, we express deepest condolences to his friends & kins. pic.twitter.com/HT9xd7GnXq
— PIA (@Official_PIA) November 25, 2020
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also expressed his grief & condolences over the demise of his former colleague from the Pakistan People’s Party.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman expressed her grief via a tweet where she described Mukhtar as a PPP loyalist and a solid friend.
Very sorry and sad to lose Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar. He was a fine man, solid friend and party loyalist, held many offices in the PPP, including party Secretary General. Praying for his soul and family in their grief. 🙏 اللّٰہ پاک ان کو جنت الفردوس میں اعلی مقام عطا فرمائے آمین pic.twitter.com/Q4LA0rewiv
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) November 25, 2020
His funeral prayers were held at T-Block mosque at Defence Housing Authority, La,hore on Wednesday.
Personal and Career Highlights
A businessman by profession, Mr. Mukhtar entered the field of politics in 1990 and joined Pakistan’s Peoples Party.
He got elected into the National Assembly in 1993 and held the Ministry of Commerce till 1996 during the era of Benazir Bhutto. In 2008, he became a part of the cabinet again and held the Ministry of Defence.
Mukhtar was also appointed as Minister of Power and Water later in his political career.
The former Minister was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The deceased leaves a wife, a daughter, and two sons.
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