Karachi/islamabad: Former defence minister and former chief minister Sindh Aftab Shaban Mirani has passed away after a prolonged illness in Karachi, his family confirmed on Saturday.
Born in Shikarpur district, Aftab Shaban Mirani had a long political career spanning several decades. Mirani was a senior political figure and had served as the Sindh chief minister in 1990. He had also served as a defence minister during then-premier Benazir Bhutto's tenure from 1993 to 1996.
He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan (NA) from Constituency NA-202 (Shikarpur-I) in general elections held for the terms: 2018-2023, 2014-2018, and 2008-2013.
Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of former Chief Minister of Sindh Aftab Shaban Mirani.
In his condolence message, the President extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the elevation of ranks of the departed soul.
President Asif Ali Zardari paid rich tribute to Aftab Shaban Mirani for his valuable services to democracy, the Federation of Pakistan, and public welfare.
The President said Aftab Shaban Mirani was among the close associates of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and was a sincere and loyal leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has also expressed grief and sorrow over the passing of former Sindh Chief Minister Aftab Shaban Mirani.
In his condolence message, the Prime Minister prayed for the departed soul and extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family to bear the loss with strength and patience.
The Prime Minister said that Aftab Shaban Mirani was an experienced political leader and a senior parliamentarian of the Pakistan Peoples Party, whose political and public services will always be remembered.
Separately, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Deputy Speaker NA Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Speaker Sindh Assembly Syed Awais Qadir Shah, PPP Information Secretary Shazia Atta Marrii, Senator Sherry Rehman, MNA Sehar Kamran and other PPP leaders have also also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Mirani.
In his condolence message, CM Sindh Syed Murad Ali SHAH said that Mirani was a close associate of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, and remained an invaluable asset of the party. Murad described late Mirani as a man of integrity, humility, and dignity.
The chief minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the PPP leadership, and party workers, sharing in their grief and loss.