Founding member of the PTI, Ashiq Qureshi passes away

He was the arranger, the person everyone went to for help. Founding member of the PTI and one of Prime Minister Khan’s oldest friends, Khan tweeted that Qureshi had always been there for him during hard times.

Devastated by the death of one of my oldest friends Ashiq Qureshi last night. He was always there during my many setbacks in life. Was the first to stand by me when I decided to build SKMT & was a PTI founder member. Above all, he will be missed as a gentleman & great human being

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 1, 2019

A philanthropist and one of the first supporters of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, Qureshi graduated from the Pakistani Military Academy in 1971 and served as a diplomat in London and Paris. His love for cricket is well known and he was also present at the 1992 World Cup on the ground with his old friend Captain Imran Khan.

I hope, many from cricket fraternity remember this pic. RIP Ashiq Hussain Qureshi , a old companion of @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/n1FXiJ6ffb

— Syed Amjad Mahmood Falki (@AmjadFalki) November 1, 2019

He left the foreign service and returned home and turned his attention to philanthropy in the social sector. He was also the honorary consul for France.

We are saddened by the news that Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, former Honorary Consul of France in Lahore, has passed away. He was a very respected gentleman and was awarded the Ordre National du Mérite last year. Sincere condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/zXSYPMl3xf

— France in Pakistan 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FranceinPak) November 1, 2019

His friends remember him as being a soft spoken and generous friend, one who was passionate about social work and helped veteran and youth cricket in various capacities.

Ashiq Qureshi,a great ambassador for Pakistan cricket,and an inspirational human being.We have special memories of our tournaments together in Colombo and https://t.co/YVZDB2QE2Q #Englandveterans pic.twitter.com/dS9FpeFr6F

— England 50+ Cricket (@CountiesEngland) November 1, 2019

A ‘devoted husband, and a loving father’, his family has released the details of his Namaz-e-Janaza and Qul.

His Namaz e Janaza will be held on Saturday, November 2nd, 11 am at the Lahore Polo Club, Race course Park, GOR 1. The Qul/dua will be held on Sunday, November 3rd at the National Cricket Academy, Gaddafi Stadium, Gulberg 3, Lahore from 3pm to 5pm.