Senior politician Zaeem Qadri passes away
Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, a senior leader of the Awam Pakistan Party, passed away early Friday morning following a cardiac attack.
Qadri, aged 61, was admitted to a private hospital late at night but succumbed to his illness in the early hours. His funeral prayer is scheduled to be held this evening after Maghrib prayer at Lawrence Road, Lahore.
Qadir was a former member of the Punjab Assembly with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and served as a government spokesperson.
He was elected as MPA from PP-154 (Lahore-XIII) in by-polls held in June 2008. He was re-elected tin the 2013 general election.
In November 2016, he was inducted into the Punjab cabinet of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif as Minister of Punjab for Auqaf and Religious Affairs.
In June 2018, he quit PML-N and announced to contest the 2018 general election as an independent candidate.
Qadri was serving as the spokesperson for the Awam Pakistan Party in Punjab. The party was founded by former PML-N leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Miftah Ismail.
Political and social circles have expressed deep sorrow and condolences over his sudden demise, highlighting his contributions to the political landscape of the province.
انا للّٰہ وانا الیہ راجعون
My good friend, one of Awaam Pakistan’s founder and our Punjab head, a courageous political leader and a kind and generous human being Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri has passed away. His passing leaves a big hole in the democratic politics of Pakistan. May… pic.twitter.com/Aeyy5fm24y
— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) February 13, 2026
Former Finance Minister and Awaam Pakistan Party leader Miftah Ismail expressed condolences over the passing away of his “good friend”, calling him a “courageous political leader and a kind and generous human being.”
“His passing leaves a big hole in the democratic politics of Pakistan. May he rest in peace and may his family have the fortitude to bear his irreparable loss,” Ismail said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Zaeem Qadri.
In a message of condolence, the minister conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and paid tribute to Qadri’s political and social services, calling them “noteworthy and commendable.” He prayed that Allah grant the departed soul a place in His infinite mercy and provide patience to the grieving family.