Islamabad, Sept 27: Nawabzada Nasurllah Khan, who rallied the divided mainstream political parties under the banner of Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) to oppose the military rule of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, died today. Khan, who headed the 15 party ARD against the continuation of Musharraf's rule breathed his last at a private hospital. He was 85.
The veteran politician had the image of a crusader for his prolonged battles against the military rulers like Ayub Khan, Thikka Khan, Zia ul Haq as well as the dictatorial policies of Former Prime Minister Beanzir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif. He had a political career spanning over seven decades starting from independence movement against British rule. After the ouster of Sharif regime in a military coup by Musharraf in 1998, Khan brought Bhutto and Sharif under the same umbrella and formed ARD and carried on by putting up stiff resistance to the military rule.


Despite his failing health, Khan went to Jeddah and Dubai recently to hold talks with Sharif and Bhutto who lived abroad and urged them to end their exile and return to Pakistan together to step up the agitation against Musharraf. His death was seen as a major setback to the beleaguered opposition, specially that of the mainstream moderate parties, whom khan rallied together. Khan was also deeply respected by Pakistan's Islamist alliance Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA), which also joined the opposition to fight against Musharraf's rule.

His death was mourned by Musharraf, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and leaders of various political parties.


Bureau Report