LAHORE: Syeda Saloni Bukhari, the founding member of the
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), lost her battle against cancer on Friday
morning at the age of 62. She was laid to rest in the afternoon.
As
a committed leader, she was entrusted with the role of the PTI central
vice president as well as Punjab’s Women Wing president. Besides, she
was member of the core and central executive committees.
Condolences poured in for the late party leader who was considered a dedicated and hardworking politician.
In
a tweet, PTI chief Imran Khan expressed his shock and grief over the
death of Ms Bukhari who worked with him for 21 years. “Devastated by the
loss of Saloni Bokhari who lost her battle to cancer this morning. She
stood by me through thick and thin. She was there when the party passed
through its greatest crisis.”
Survived by two daughters
and a son, Ms Bukhari had been suffering from blood cancer for the last
eight months. Her funeral was attended by the entire provincial
leadership of the party, including Leader of Opposition Mian Mahmoodur
Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry and Umar Sarfaraz Cheema.
Jahangir
Khan Tareen tweeted: “Extremely saddened by the demise of PTI stalwart
Saloni Bukhari, who had been fighting cancer for long! Her selfless
services for PTI & the way she stood with IK during difficult times,
can never be forgotten.”
Sadia Suhail Rana, who worked
with Ms Bokhari as general secretary, remembers her as the most
dignified and selfless leader who taught other women colleagues how one
can grow and earn respect through sheer hard work – without any
shortcuts.
Being an old member of the party, she fought
for provincial assembly seat twice and was planning to contest for a
National Assembly seat in 2018. “She topped the list of party candidates
for reserved seats for women in 2013. However, as a committed stoic,
she offered the party to accommodate others and withdrew her
candidature. She never struggled for limelight and earned huge respect
for her mannerism. The women wing of the party lost a mother-like figure
today and the loss would be long felt by all in the party,” said Sadia
Sohail.
