Apr 16 , 2015
News
ANP’s Azam Khan Hoti passes away
MARDAN: Senior Awami National Party (ANP) leader Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Hoti died on Wednesday at the age of 69.
Hoti, who had been suffering from cancer, was born in Mardan in April 1946 and remained a popular figure there.
He joined the Pakistan Army as a commissioned officer in 1970 but took early retirement as a captain. He, along with other ANP leaders, was exiled to Kabul during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government in 1975 and was jailed during Ziaul Haq’s government.
The father of former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, he was lovingly known by his nickname ‘Baba’ (father) in Mardan.
Hoti was the brother of Senior ANP leader Begum Naseem Wali and brother-in-law of ANP chief Asfandyar Wali.
The late senator was elected a member of the National Assembly (MNA) twice and served as federal minister for communication during both previous tenures of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
He was elected a senator on an ANP ticket in 2012, and previously in 1993.
Hoti entered into a rift with ANP leadership in 2013 when he levelled serious allegations against Asfandyar and held him responsible for the party’s massive defeat in 2013 general elections. Hoti is survived by his two wives, two sons and a daughter.
The funeral prayer of Azam Khan Hoti was offered in Mardan.
Many renowned politicians took part in its funeral prayer. High security measures were taken due to the volatile security climate of the area.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain expressed grief over the demise of Senator Azam Khan Hoti while appreciating his role in the development of his area.
Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani, Senate Deputy Chairman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq also expressed grief and sorrow over his death. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also condoled the sad demise of Azam Khan Hoti.
Separately, Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday condoled the death of senior politician Azam Khan Hoti.
The former president in a condolence message said he was immensely grieved over the news of death of Awami National Party leader Azam Khan Hoti.
He was a democrat and faced hardships and imprisonment for the cause of democracy.
The former president prayed to Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength and fortitude to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk