OKARA(National times)- Former Chief Minister of Punjab and senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Mian Manzoor Wattoo has passed away on Tuesday. According to sources, Mian Manzoor Wattoo had been suffering from a prolonged illness. The schedule for his funeral prayers will be announced later. Mian Manzoor Wattoo belonged to Haveli Lakha and had a long political career. He also served as the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. Following his demise, political leaders and social figures have expressed deep sorrow and condolences. The Wattoo family remained politically influential after 1985 and continued to be part of power circles in various forms. However, in the 2018 general elections, Mian Manzoor Wattoo contested from Okara as an independent candidate, while his son Khuram Jahangir Wattoo and daughter Rubina Shaheen Wattoo contested provincial assembly seats on PTI tickets but were unsuccessful. While his son and daughter are currently associated with PTI, Mian Manzoor Wattoo himself remained keen on playing an active role in the Pakistan Peoples Party. He had previously served as Punjab Chief Minister with PPP’s support and also held the position of the party’s provincial president.