Senior PPP leader Jahangir Badar passes away

LAHORE: Senior Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader and former secretary general of the party, Jahangir Badar passed away late Sunday night, family sources confirmed to Geo News.

Badar was taken to a private hospital after his condition got unstable. The senior leader was suffering from kidney and cardiac problems.

Badar was considered one of the closest aides of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He became involved in politics as a student leader during his university days in Lahore. As a young man, he also met PPP's Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and was among the first group of students to join and support the PPP leader.

He was arrested during the governments of Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and was detained a number of times by the Zia-ul-Haq and Musharraf regimes.

Badar was 72. He has left behind a wife, two sons and a daughter.

His funeral prayers will be offered at 4 pm on Monday at Lahore's University Ground. 

PPP has announced three days of mourning and postponed its scheduled meeting in Dubai.

Condolences 

Condolences poured in from all quarters of the political landscape following news of Badar's death.

shocked to hear the sad news. RIP Uncle JB. never imagined taking this journey without you. Inshallah we will make you proud. #JiyaBhutto pic.twitter.com/iVGDJcmkpa

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) November 13, 2016

Sadly Jahangir Badar leaves us today Recognised for empowering Political workers and in mobilising people for democracy Leader and worker

— Asma Jahangir (@Asma_Jahangir) November 13, 2016

Shocking news about Jahangir Bader-A committed political worker who made his way up from lower rung of politics. May his soul rest in peace!

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 13, 2016