JUI-F leader Hafiz Hussain Ahmed passes away

ISLAMABAD: Former leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) Hafiz Hussain Ahmed passed away on Wednesday after a protracted illness, his son Munir Ahmed confirmed.

Ahmed had been suffering from kidney disease for a long time, he said. His son said an announcement regarding the JUIF leader’s funeral prayer and burial will be made later.

Ahmed embarked on his political journey in early 1973, starting at the provincial level in Balochistan before transitioning to the national stage. He served as an MNA from 2002-2007 and 1988-1990 and also as senator from March 1991 to March 1994. He went on to hold key positions in prominent organizations, including Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (JUIF) and Pakistan National Alliance. He remained the JUIF spokesman, a post from which he was removed in Nov 2020. He rejoined the party in 2022. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed grief over the death of the senior politician. “A chapter of beautiful memories has ended with the death of Hafiz Hussain,” he added. He described the late leader as a wise, and ideological parliamentary leader.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his deep grief and shock over the death of the veteran politician and former JUIF leader. He prayed to Almighty Allah for the grant of a high place in Jannah and patience for the bereaved family. He described Hafiz Hussain Ahmad as a wise politician. “The whole nation is united to sympathise with the bereaved family”, he said. Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has also condoled the death of Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, saying that the gap left by the veteran politician in national politics could not be filled.