Lahore, Pakistan: Former Punjab Chief Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo passed away on Tuesday in Lahore at the age of 86. His grandson, columnist Hassan Kamal Wattoo, confirmed the news on social media platform X, saying that With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of my beloved grandfather, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo. Funeral prayers will be held at the Wasawewala Stadium in Okara at 2pm tomorrow.
Leaders across the country paid tribute to Wattoo’s decades-long public service. President Asif Ali Zardari, through a post on the Presidency’s X account, expressed deep grief, lauding Wattoo’s invaluable public service, role in strengthening democracy, and contributions to national unity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condoled his death, stating that “the services of late Manzoor Wattoo for the country’s politics will always be remembered.”
Wattoo, who was affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) at the time of his passing, also served as Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs during the 2008–2013 PPP-led coalition government.
Born on August 14, 1939, in Deepalpur, Okara district, Wattoo’s political career spanned several decades and multiple parties. He was first elected Chairman of the Okara District Council in 1983 and became a member of the Punjab Assembly in 1985, eventually being elected Speaker of the Assembly.
Wattoo’s political trajectory included affiliations with IJI, PML-Junejo, PML-Jinnah, PML-Q, PPP, and PTI. He became Punjab Chief Minister in 1993 after successfully dislodging the PML-N provincial government through a vote of no-confidence, with the support of PPP, despite having just 17 MPAs against PPP’s 92 in the assembly.
His political journey was not without controversies. In 1996, he was convicted in a corruption case, spending months in jail and over two years under hospital custody at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. After acquittal, he continued his political career, joining PML-Q during Pervez Musharraf’s regime and later moving to PPP, where he served as central Punjab president and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs.
Wattoo was widely regarded as a political strategist capable of navigating complex political landscapes, often securing key positions across different governments. His ability to adapt and maintain influence earned him a reputation as a shrewd political operator, while his elevation to PPP’s leadership in Punjab surprised many within the party.
In September 2018, Wattoo joined PTI, contesting the July 25 general elections as an independent candidate against the PPP nominee. However, he later returned to PPP last year, rejoining the party he had previously served with distinction.
The death of Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo has left a significant mark on Pakistan’s political landscape. Leaders, colleagues, and citizens alike have expressed sorrow over the loss of a veteran politician whose career reflected decades of public service, political acumen, and dedication to Punjab and Pakistan.