Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator and former interior minister Rehman Malik breathed his last in Islamabad in the wee hours of Wednesday due to complications arising from Covid-19. He was 70 years old, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Rehman Malik was brought to a private hospital in Islamabad on February 1 for treatment of post-Covid lungs complications where he passed away. The former interior minister has been admitted to the International Hospital. He was suffering from pain in his lungs and having difficulty in breathing. Doctors had shifted him to a ventilator then.
According to the TV channel, Rehman Malik’s Namaz-i-Janaza will be held in Islamabad at 2:00 pm tomorrow (Thursday) and he will be laid to rest besides the grave of Pakistan’s celebrated nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan in the federal capital’s H-8 graveyard.
Rehman Malik’s brother Khalid Malik confirming the death expressed deep sadness over Rehman Malik’s passing away.
File photo shows Rehman Malik under treatment in hospital.
According to senator's spokesperson Riaz Ahmad Turi, Rehman Malik had been hospitalised due to coronavirus and his lungs had been severely affected. After testing positive for the Covid-19, Malik was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU).
He is survived by his widow and two sons.
The late PPP senator had served as the interior minister of the country from 2008 to 2013 and he was considered as one of the closest aides of late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Malik had received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Karachi.
Rehman Malik had also authored four books. He had also received Sitara-i-Shujaat and Sitara-i-Imtiaz.
Following the news of his demise condolence messages were pouring in on social media.
Asif Zardari condoles death
Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief and shock over the death of former interior minister and PPP leader Rehman Malik, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.
In his condolence message, he said that Malik was an intelligent man who worked extremely hard when he was the interior minister. “His services for the country are simply unforgettable,” he commented.
Zardari went on to add that the party leadership and all the workers shared the grief of his family.
The former president also prayed to The Almighty Allah to forgive late Rehman Malik’s sins and grant him the highest place in Jannat.
President Alvi, PM Imran express condolences
President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Rehman Malik. The president prayed for the departed soul and patience for his family.
The Prime Minister Office in a statement issued said that Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his condolences on the sad demise of the senator Rehman Malik, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The premier prayed for the departed soul.
https://twitter.com/PakPMO/status/1496353511625588738
Shehbaz Sharif saddened
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) President and National Assembly (NA) Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences with Rehman Malik family and prayed for the higher ranks of the departed soul.
Shehbaz Sharif said that he was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of PPP leader Rehman Malik.
In a tweet, the PML-N President said, “May Allah Almighty rest his soul in peace! I extend my heartfelt condolences and profound sympathies to the bereaved family and the PPP leadership.”
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed expressed their condolences to the family of PPP senior leader Rehman Malik.
Moreover, Punjab Governor Chaudhary Sarwar also expressed and termed his departure as a big loss.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman and KP Chief Minister Mehmood Khan also expressed sympathy with the family of the late Rehman Malik.
Sindh Local Bodies Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said Malik was a great leader and extended his condolences to the deceased's family.
Senator Sherry Rehman also prayed for the departed soul.
Meanwhile, PPP Secretary General Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari has said that he was greatly saddened to hear about the passing of former interior minister. “The entire party shares the grief of Malik’s family,” he said, and added, “With his demise, PPP has lost one of its most steadfast leaders.”
Bukhari said that the deceased’s services for democracy would be remembered for a long time to come. “May The Almighty Allah forgive his sins and grant patience to the bereaved family,” the senator prayed.
“I am deeply saddened by the demise of former interior minister Rehman Malik. May Allah forgive him and grant patience to his family,” PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal wrote on Twitter.
MPA Sindh Assembly Mumtaz Ali Chandio, in a tweet, said, “Deeply saddened to hear of the sudden demise of Senator #RehmanMalik. A huge loss indeed. May Allah SWT rest his soul in peace. Heartfelt condolences to the family”
Reporter Usman Javed Malik