ian Manzoor Ahmed Khan Wattoo, one of the most influential and enduring political figures of the Punjab, passed away in Lahore on December 16. He was 86 and had not been keeping well. Funeral prayers were offered on December 17 in Depalpur, where a large number of people from all walks of life gathered to bid him farewell. They included senior political leaders, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, party workers, local elders and ordinary citizens. The size and diversity of the gathering reflected the depth of his political reach and the personal connections he had cultivated over a lifetime in public service.

Born on August 14, 1939, Wattoo came from an agrarian background that shaped his political instincts and governing style. His was not a politics inherited through privilege or lineage, but one built patiently through grassroots engagement. He entered public life through local government, serving as chairman of the Okara district council in 1983, at a time when local bodies were the primary forum for political organisation. Those years gave him a practical understanding of governance and cemented his belief that politics must remain closely tied to the everyday concerns of ordinary citizens.

His election to the Punjab Assembly in 1985 marked the beginning of a long and consequential career. Over the decades, Wattoo emerged as one of the Punjab’s most astute political organisers, respected for his command of parliamentary procedure and his ability to manage complex political alignments. He went on to serve as speaker of the Punjab Assembly, chief minister of the Punjab and a federal minister.

As chief minister, Wattoo presided over the province with an understated style. He focused on administrative continuity, development-oriented governance and maintaining political stability in times of uncertainty. Infrastructure development, improvements in municipal services, expansion of educational facilities and healthcare access, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas of central Punjab, featured prominently during his time in office. He never sought the spotlight.

Wattoo’s political career was defined by pragmatism rather than ideology. Over the years, he was associated with several political platforms, including various factions of the Pakistan Muslim League and the Pakistan Peoples Party. These transitions were mostly viewed through the lens of political realism, reflecting his conviction that effective representation of constituents required flexibility and coalition-building in a fragmented political environment. In 2008, after being elected as an independent, he joined the PPP and served in the federal cabinet.

Wattoo belonged to a generation of politicians shaped long before the rise of television-driven politics and social media campaigning. His politics was conducted in villages, union councils and constituency offices. Trust was built face to face and loyalty earned over time.

Like many senior politicians of his era, Wattoo faced allegations of corruption and accountability proceedings. He responded with restraint, maintaining that accountability in Pakistan had frequently been selective and politicised. His ability to endure legal and political pressures without withdrawing from public life reinforced his reputation as a resilient and seasoned political actor.

Following his passing, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. President Asif Ali Zardari, in his condolence message, described Wattoo as “a seasoned parliamentarian whose services to public welfare and democratic institutions will be remembered for years to come.” Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Wattoo’s contribution to Pakistani politics would not be forgotten, adding that his experience and political wisdom had benefited the Punjab during some of its most challenging periods. Senior politicians from the Punjab recalled him as a bridge-builder who believed in dialogue, patience and political stability. Colleagues noted his role in mentoring younger politicians and maintaining working relationships with his rivals.

Mian Manzoor Ahmed Khan Wattoo is survived by his widow, Begum Kulsoom Manzoor Wattoo, who remained a steadfast presence throughout his political journey. He leaves behind a large family, of which many members have followed him into public service. His children include Rubina Shaheen Wattoo, a former member of the National Assembly; Moazzam Jahanzeb Wattoo, who served as a member of the Punjab Assembly; Khurram Jehangir Wattoo, who has remained associated with political and public affairs; Amina Wattoo Kasuri, known for her engagement in political and social initiatives; Jahanara Manzoor Wattoo, who is currently serving as Vice Chairperson of the Punjab Social Protection Authority; and Ayesha Manzoor Wattoo, who is presently serving as director general of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.

Despite decades in the public eye, Wattoo was regarded as a private, composed and deeply thoughtful man. Those close to him describe him as a protective patriarch who valued discretion, tradition and counsel over public display and whose authority within the family mirrored the quiet firmness he also exercised in politics.

Wattoo belonged to a generation of politicians shaped long before the rise of television-driven politics and social media campaigning. His politics was conducted in village punchayats, union councils and constituency offices. Trust was built face to face and loyalty earned over time. He believed that political capital was accumulated not through slogans but through sustained presence and delivery. The philosophy allowed him to survive and remain relevant across changing political eras.

As the political landscape grows louder and more polarised, people like Mian Manzoor Ahmed Khan Wattoo are getting rare. He will be remembered as a master of constituency politics, a builder of political structures and a leader who understood that real power lay not in spectacle, but in endurance.

The writer, an award-winning investigative journalist, is the editor-in-chief of The Scoop, a digital platform. He can be reached on X @HassanNaqvi5