Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of the National Assembly, Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, passed away on Saturday at the age of 76. His funeral prayers were to be offered at Bahawalpur Stadium.
Channar had been in poor health for several weeks and was unable to attend his family’s gathering due to his condition. He is survived by his son Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar, who will represent him in the National Assembly from NA-168 Bahawalpur.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over Channar’s demise and paid tribute to his political, social, and public services. “I had the privilege of knowing him personally and having the opportunity to work with him on several occasions when he served in my Punjab cabinet,” PM Sharif said. “He was a sincere public representative, committed and ideological PML-N worker, and a loyal companion of former premier Nawaz Sharif.”
The prime minister described Channar as a dedicated and hardworking individual who always put the interests of his constituents first. He praised Channar’s loyalty to the party and its ideology.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also expressed her condolences on behalf of the government, stating that Channar’s death deprived parliament of a sincere, dignified, and people-oriented member. “His parliamentary, political, and public service will always be remembered,” she said.
The National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, describing Channar as a dedicated and hardworking individual who made significant contributions to national politics.
NA Speaker Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also paid tribute to Channar’s memory, stating that he was saddened by his demise. “He was a great loss for our party and the nation,” he said.
Channar served as a provincial minister in Punjab and remained an influential PML-N leader in south Punjab for decades. He was elected to the National Assembly from NA-168 Bahawalpur, where he represented the people’s mandate for many years.
The government has announced that Channar will be remembered through various tributes and ceremonies throughout the month of Ramadan.
Based on reporting from Dawn.
