Former president of Pakistan and PML-N loyalist Mamnoon Hussain passed away in Karachi on Wednesday after a prolonged illness, according to his family and party leaders. He was 80.
Hussain served as the 12th President of Pakistan between September 2013 and September 2018. He had replaced Asif Ali Zardari and was succeeded by Arif Alvi.
He was diagnosed with cancer in February last year and was under treatment at a private hospital in the city for some days where he breathed his last, according to his former coordinator and PML-N Sindh additional secretary general Chaudhry Tariq.
Hussain has left behind a widow and three sons. The time and place of his funeral prayers will be announced later, Tariq said.
President Arif Alvi expressed sorrow over his demise, saying he shared the pain of his bereaved family.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif also shared sadness over Hussain’s death. “Today, we have lost a valued person who loved Pakistan and had a good character,” a tweet by the PML-N president’s account quoted him as saying.
“He was Nawaz Sharif’s trustworthy, loyal and ideological companion. He steadfastly stood by the party through all the highs and lows.
“His services for the country and the nation will be remembered for long,” Shehbaz said.
PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan also conveyed his condolences, praying for strength for Hussain’s family and friends to cope with the loss.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted: “My deepest condolences on the passing of former President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain. May Allah grant his family the strength to bear this great loss.”
