PPP leaderspay tribute to Rana Shaukat

LAHORE: Former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have condoled the death of former PPP Punjab president Rana Shaukat Mehmood.

In separate condolence messages addressed to Nasira Shaukat Mehmood, widow of the deceased, both leaders paid rich tribute to Rana Shaukat Mehmood for his services to democracy and the party and his steadfastness in struggle against the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq. Everyone who resisted the dictatorship and stood by democracy is hero of the nation, they said.

The PPP leaders prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength and fortitude to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with equanimity. Rana Shaukat Mehmood, a well known political figure of Punjab in 70s and 80s, served as Provincial Minister in the PPP Punjab government in 1970s. Later, in 1988, while the PPP couldn’t form government in Punjab, he served as Opposition leader till 1990.

After 1996, he parted ways with the PPP for a brief period and remained associated to PPP-Shaheed Bhutto. However, he returned to the PPP fold and his wife Nasira Shaukat served as MPA of PPP on seats reserved for women in 2008. He died at Mayo Hospital Lahore after a protracted illness.