Former Sindh chief minister Mumtaz Bhutto passes away

Ag AP

KARACHI: Former Sindh chief minister Mumtaz Bhutto passed away on Sunday at the age of 94. The politician, a cousin and close aide of former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, passed away at his residence in Karachi.

Mumtaz Bhutto’s spokesman Ibrahim Abro said the politician, who had also served as the governor of Sindh prior to becoming its chief minister, was suffering ill for some time. His body was to be sent to Larkana for funeral prayers.

Mumtaz Bhutto had served as the governor of Sindh in 1971 and then as the province’s chief minister in 1972.

Bhutto, after developing differences with the PPP, had formed his own party, the Sindh National Front (SNF). Bhutto had merged the SNF with the PML-N before the 2013 elections. However, both parties parted ways after Bhutto developed differences with the PML-N. In 2017, he announced that the SNF had merged with the PTI.

President Arif Alvi expressed sorrow over the death of Bhutto and extended his condolences to the family. He prayed for Bhutto to be granted heaven and for his family to find the patience to bear the loss.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed grief over the politician’s demise. In a condolence message, Khan also expressed sympathies for the bereaved family. “Saddened to hear of the passing of Sardar Mumtaz Ali Bhutto. My condolences and prayers go to his family.”

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, too, expressed sorrow over Bhutto’s passing and extended his condolences to the family.

Interior minister Sheikh Rashid was also among political leaders to offer condolences. He prayed for Bhutto’s ranks to be elevated in the hereafter and for his family to be granted patience in their hour of grief.

Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said he was saddened to hear of the news of Bhutto’s death. He extended his condolences to the family and remembered Bhutto with admiration.