ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Former finance minister and senior PML-N leader Sartaj Aziz was laid to rest in Islamabad’s H-8 graveyard on Wednesday. People from different walks of life attended his funeral in Islamabad.
Prominent among them were former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Dr Tariq Fazal Ch, PPP’s Farhatullah Babar, Chairman PML-N Raja Zafar ul Haq, Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi, former minister Ijaz ul Haq and a large number of diplomats.
According to his family, the Rasm-e-Qul of deceased would be held tomorrow at 3 PM in a farm house at Chak Shehzad, Islamabad.
سابق وزیر خزانہ سرتاج عزیز صاحب کی وفات سے دِل بہت رنجیدہ ہے۔ مرحوم، تحریکِ پاکستان کے سرگرم کارکن اور قوم کا اثاثہ تھے۔ وہ روزِ اوّل سے مسلم لیگ کے ساتھ منسلک رہے۔ وہ مسلم لیگ کے بہت باوفا اور بااعتماد رُکن تھے۔ زندگی کے بیشتر حصے اور قومی ذمہ داریوں میں اُن کا ساتھ رہا۔ دُکھ کی…
— Nawaz Sharif (@NawazSharifMNS) January 3, 2024
Former prime minister and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif also left for Islamabad to offer condolence with the family of veteran politician.
Sartaj Aziz passed away yesterday at the age of 95 after a prolonged illness.
Born in 1929, Aziz had a long career encompassing public office, academia, and the civil service.
نگران وزیراعظم انوار الحق کاکڑ کا بزرگ سیاستدان اور سابق وفاقی وزیر سرتاج عزیز کے انتقال پر گہرے افسوس اور رنج کا اظہار۔ وزیر اعظم کی مرحوم کی بلندیء درجات کی دعاء اور ان کے اہل خانہ سے اظہارِ تعزیت۔ سرتاج عزیز انتہائی زیرک اور منجھے ہوئے سیاستدان ، تحریک پاکستان کے فعال کارکن…
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) January 2, 2024
He shaped economic strategies that led Pakistan through pivotal periods while holding prominent posts in the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance.
During his political career, he was named finance minister by PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s after being elected as a member of the National Assembly.
Later, in the 1990s, he again held the position of finance minister under PM Nawaz Sharif.
A celebrated national icon, one of the most brilliant policy makers, a dear friend, ally, advisor, and brother to Mian Mohammad Nawaz sharif , uncle Sirtaj Aziz has sadly passed away. His contributions to Pakistan are immeasurable and his commitment to PMLN, exemplary . He was… pic.twitter.com/z2OkVRKUyB
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) January 2, 2024
When Nawaz Sharif became prime minister in 2013, Sartaj Aziz was once again given the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Advisor to PM on National Security.
Inna lilla he wa inna elahe rajaon Sartaj Aziz Sahib passed away this evening in Islamabad. He lived a rare life of courage, dignity, and integrity; a life worth celebrating. He contributed and accomplished much; excelling at everything that he did. To all of us who worked…
— Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (@SKhaqanAbbasi) January 2, 2024
“I am really sad after the death of Sartaj Aziz. He was a veteran worker of freedom movement of Pakistan and a great asset of the country,” said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on X, formerly Twitter.
Meanwhile, caretaker prime minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, veteran diplomat Maleeha Lodhi, Murtaza Solangi and many other notables condoled over the dealth of Sartaj Aziz.