Senior politician from Pakistan Peoples Party and former defense minister, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, passed away in Lahore on Wednesday.

He was 74 years old and had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He served as the Defence Minister of Pakistan in the Yousaf Raza Gillani-led government. He started his political career in 1990 after joining PPP.

During the second tenure of Benazir Bhutto’s premiership (1993-1996), he served as Commerce Minister. He was also a businessman by profession.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Senator Sherry Rehman, and former President Asif Ali Zardari have expressed their grief and sent condolences to his family. His funeral prayers will be offered today (Wednesday)