Caretaker CM Khyber Pakhtunkwa Mohammad Azam Khan dies at 89
PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (SABAH): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan died on Saturday just a day after he was admitted to a hospital.
The 89-year-old Mohammad Azam Khan was taken to Peshawar’s Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) after he fell ill, said the hospital administration. He was kept in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU).
The hospital administration said Mohammad Azam Khan was admitted at 10:00 PM last night. “Azam Khan complained of diarrhoea when brought to the hospital. He underwent a lot of tests and a CT Scan confirmed that he was suffering from a hernia,” said Dr. Gulzar of RMI.
He added that the decision regarding his operation was to be taken on Saturday; however, he passed away after suffering from a heart attack at 9:00 AM.
The former bureaucrat took oath as the interim chief minister on January 21 this year, following the dissolution of the KP Assembly in the same month.
He was nominated to lead the province by the opposition and his name was unanimously approved by the outgoing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government as well.
Azam Khan was a retired bureaucrat who served as minister for interior, capital administration and development in the interim cabinet of former caretaker prime minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk in 2018. He was a Barrister-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn, London.
From October 2007 to April 2008, Azam Khan also served as a finance, planning and development minister in KP in the cabinet of CM Shamsul Mulk. He also served in key posts in both the federal and provincial governments.
From September 1990 to July 1993, Mohammad Azam Khan also served as the chief secretary. He was also chairman of the Pakistan Tobacco Board.
Former secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad said that the provincial cabinet has been dissolved after the death of the KP chief minister as per the law.
He added that all the powers have been transferred to KP Governor Ghulam Ali till the appointment of a new chief minister.
The former ECP secretary said that the matter would be decided by the leader of the opposition in the Senate and the Leader of the House. However, he added, if the decision is not made through mutual consultations, then the matter will land in the ECP’s court. He maintained that the matter has to be decided within a week.
“If the National Assembly or the provincial assemblies are dissolved, then the decision is made by the Senate,” said Dilshad.
Meanwhile President Dr. Arif Alvi has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mohammad Azam Khan.
Extending his condolences to the bereaved family, the President prayed for the departed soul. Recalling his meetings with late Azam Khan, the President said he found him as a person of great integrity.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of Azam Khan. Commiserating with the bereaved family, the Prime Minister prayed for the departed soul.
The Prime Minister said Azam Khan served the people throughout his life as a dedicated and competent officer. He said Azam Khan’s role as a public officer will remain a beacon of light for all civil servants.
The Prime Minister said Azam Khan as the caretaker chief minister managed the administrative affairs splendidly.
Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar said Azam Khan took all possible measures to maintain law and order and prevent smuggling in the province.
Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has expressed grief and sorrow over the death of caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Azam Khan.
Extending condolences to the bereaved family, he prayed for the departed soul.
The Information Minister recalled that as the caretaker Chief Minister, Azam Khan always helped in professional matters. He said that whenever he approached him for freedom of expression, protection of journalists and their welfare, Azam Khan was always forthcoming and did his best to help.
The Information Minister said the services of late Azam Khan for the country and the province are unforgettable.
Condolences pour in
Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi expressed heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the family members of the late Azam Khan. “Deeply saddened by the death of Azam Khan,” Mohsin Naqvi said and added that his services for the country and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will always be remembered.
Expressing sorrow over Azam Khan’s death, former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said he belonged to a family whose members served the country with great devotion. “He worked with great sincerity during the flood campaign,” recalled the former premier. Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his condolences, noting that Khan fulfilled his responsibilities as a civil servant with “honesty and professionalism”. “I got the chance to work with him during the coalition government of 16 months [and] was very impressed by his passion for service,” the PML-N president was quoted as saying.
Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed condolences over Khan’s death, saying that he had performed the most important administrative duties in a proper way. “Azam Khan’s service towards the people will always be remembered,” added Bilawal.
Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar also poured in condolences and prayed for the deceased.
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the chief minister’s services would be remembered.
Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori expressed his grief on the CM’s death and prayed for the deceased’s ranks.
Former KP CM Mahmood Khan expressed his “immense grief” at the “painful news”.
PPP leader Faisal Karim Kundi and PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan said they were saddened by the loss and sent their prayers to Khan’s family.