Senior politician and former Member of the Punjab Assembly Syed Zaeem Qadri passed away on Friday in Lahore after suffering from a cardiac ailment. He was 60.
Family sources said he had been receiving treatment at a private hospital in Lahore for the past three days due to heart-related complications. Despite medical efforts, his condition deteriorated, and he could not recover.
Funeral Prayers to Be Offered in Lahore
Funeral prayers for Syed Zaeem Qadri will be offered today at 6:00 pm on Lawrence Road, Lahore. A large gathering of political leaders, lawyers, social figures, and citizens is expected to attend and pay their last respects.
Political Career and Public Service
Zaeem Qadri remained an active figure in Punjab politics for over a decade. He served as a Member of the Provincial Assembly from 2008 to May 2018 and held several key positions during his career.
He served as a provincial minister, adviser to former Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and spokesperson for the Punjab government. Prior to 2018, he was associated with the Pakistan Muslim League (N), where he was considered an influential party leader before resigning ahead of the general elections.
Legal Background and Education
A seasoned lawyer by profession, Zaeem Qadri earned his LL.B degree in 1988 from Quaid-e-Azam Law College. He later completed his Master of Business Administration in 1991 from the Canadian School of Management Sciences.
He also served as an executive member of the Lahore Gymkhana Club, reflecting his strong presence in Lahore’s legal, social, and political circles.
Family Background and Personal Life
Born on December 25, 1964, in Lahore, Zaeem Qadri belonged to a prominent legal and political family. His uncle, Syed Shamim Hussain Qadri, served as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court and was also associated with politics.
He was married to fellow politician Uzma Qadri.
Electoral Journey
Zaeem Qadri entered electoral politics after winning the Punjab Assembly seat from PP-154 (Lahore-XIII) in the June 2008 by-elections, securing 8,211 votes. He successfully retained the seat in the 2013 general elections.
In November 2016, he was inducted into the Punjab cabinet as Provincial Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs. In June 2018, he resigned from PML-N and announced his decision to contest the general elections as an independent candidate.
