Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Senator Irfan Siddiqui passed away on Monday night after a prolonged illness.
He had been under treatment at a hospital in Islamabad for around two weeks, family sources confirmed.
Irfan Siddiqui was widely respected within the party as a mentor, scholar, and political advisor. He was considered one of the closest associates of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, having served him for decades in various political and advisory roles.
Party members described him as a pillar of guidance and intellect whose contributions helped shape the PML-N’s parliamentary and ideological direction.
Long battle with illness
According to family and party sources, Senator Siddiqui had been battling health complications for a long time and was admitted to a hospital in Islamabad, where he was receiving medical treatment until his passing.
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Despite his deteriorating health, he continued to engage in party affairs and was last serving as the parliamentary leader of the PML-N in the Senate.
Irfan Siddiqui was also a journalist, poet and writer, and had been awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his services.
Condolences pour in
President Asif Ali Zardari and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif have expressed deep sorrow and grief over the passing of Senator Irfan Siddiqui.
The president, in his condolence message, paid tribute to the late senator’s lifelong services, saying that Irfan Siddiqui made immense contributions to strengthening democracy in Pakistan.
President Zardari prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and offered condolences to the bereaved family, acknowledging his political wisdom and commitment to democratic values.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed profound sorrow and grief over the passing of Senator Irfan Siddiqui, calling his death a great loss for Pakistan.
“I am deeply saddened and pained by the news of Irfan Siddiqui’s passing,” he said in his condolence message. “Pakistan has lost a serious thinker, a teacher, and a principled intellectual.”
Paying tribute to the late senator’s legacy, the prime minister said Irfan Siddiqui devoted his life to knowledge, tolerance, and intellectual integrity, always reflecting depth, reason, and grace in both his writing and personality.
He added that Irfan Siddiqui’s contributions to the PML-N will always be remembered, describing him as a guiding light for his colleagues and students alike.
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The PM also highlighted his academic and literary services, saying, “His scholarship and national insight will continue to serve as a torch of inspiration for future generations.”
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif also expressed her heartfelt condolences to Senator Siddiqui’s family, calling his death a great loss for Pakistani politics. She said Irfan Siddiqui was a master of political traditions and a dignified statesman whose contributions would always be remembered.
“Pakistan’s political landscape has lost a brilliant, principled, and dignified politician,” Maryam said, adding that his guidance and memory will remain unforgettable.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti also extended his condolences to the family, praying for strength, patience, and solace for the bereaved.
Political leaders across party lines have remembered Senator Irfan Siddiqui as a respected and thoughtful voice in Parliament, known for his grace, integrity, and unwavering dedication to democratic values.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Senator Siddiqui’s bereaved family.
He paid glowing tribute to the late senator’s journalistic and political contributions, saying: “Senator Irfan Siddiqui was a man of high principles, both in journalism and in politics.”
Mohsin Naqvi added that Irfan Siddiqui’s services to Pakistan will never be forgotten, and prayed for the departed soul. “May Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant patience and strength to the bereaved family. Ameen,” he said.
Nawaz Sharif remembers Irfan Siddiqui as loyal friend
In an emotional message, Nawaz Sharif said he was deeply saddened by the death of his “sincere, trusted, and loyal brother,” adding that words could not capture the depth of his grief.
“I am saddened by the death of my sincere, trusted, and loyal poet brother, Irfan Siddiqui,” Nawaz Sharif said. “I loved Irfan Siddiqui dearly. It is impossible to express my sorrow in words.”
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The PML-N leader paid tribute to the late senator’s personality and intellect, calling him a “unique writer, humble human being, and a bright-minded personality” whose presence enriched both politics and literature in Pakistan.
Family denies false reports
Earlier in the day, Siddiqui's family had strongly denied false social media reports claiming he has been placed on a ventilator.
In a statement issued on Monday, the family clarified that Senator Irfan Siddiqui is currently under treatment at a local hospital in Islamabad due to respiratory problems, but has not been shifted to a ventilator.
According to family sources, Senator Siddiqui has been receiving medical care for the past several days due to respiratory distress. He is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for continuous monitoring of his condition.
“Senator Irfan Siddiqui has not been placed on a ventilator. He is being treated in the ICU due to respiratory complications,” the family confirmed, stressing that the reports circulating online were completely baseless.
Family condemns false reports and misinformation
The senator’s family described the social media rumours about his health as deeply regrettable and irresponsible, saying that such misinformation has caused severe mental trauma to both the senator and his family.
“It is extremely distressing that false information about Senator Irfan Siddiqui’s health is being spread on social media. This has not only hurt the family but also caused unnecessary concern among his well-wishers,” the statement read.
