Okara: Former Chief Minister of Punjab and senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Mian Manzoor Wattoo has passed away.

According to media reports, Mian Manzoor Wattoo had been suffering from a prolonged illness. The schedule for his funeral prayers will be announced later.

Mian Manzoor Wattoo belonged to Haveli Lakha and he had remained Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

Political leaders and social figures have expressed deep sorrow and condolences over his death.

The Wattoo family remained in the corridors of power in every government after 1985.

. However, in the 2018 general elections, Mian Manzoor Wattoo contested from Okara as an independent candidate, while his son Khuram Jahangir Wattoo and daughter Rubina Shaheen Wattoo contested provincial assembly seats on PTI tickets but were unsuccessful.

Son and daughter of Mian Manzoor Watoo are still in PTI while he himself remained desirous of paying active role in PPP. Earlier he became chief minister Punjab with the support of PPP and he remained provincial president of PPP as well.