Former Punjab governor Zulfiqar Ali Khosa passes away at 90

LAHORE: Veteran politician and former Punjab governor Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa passed away in Lahore at the age of 90, his family confirmed on Thursday.

He had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Lahore for some time prior to his death.

Hailing from Dera Ghazi Khan, Khosa remained an influential figure in Pakistan’s political landscape for decades. He was primarily associated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, where he played a key role in provincial politics.

Born on October 20, 1935, Khosa was the son of Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan Khosa. He received his early education at Queen Mary’s College and later attended Aitchison College.

He was the 21st recognised chief of the Khosa tribe, a prominent Baloch tribe with a presence across Punjab, Balochistan, and Sindh.

Khosa began his political career at a young age, becoming a member of the West Pakistan Assembly in 1962 at just 26 — making him one of the youngest members of the house at the time.

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Over the years, he set a record by serving nine consecutive terms as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab without defeat. During his career, he held several important ministerial portfolios, including education, irrigation, finance, planning and development, and local government.

Ahead of the 2018 general elections, Khosa parted ways with PML-N following internal differences and later joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

His death marks the end of an era in Punjab’s politics, with colleagues and political figures remembering him for his longstanding service and influence.