ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday offered Fateha and paid tribute to former federal minister and five-time Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk, who passed away on September 11, 2026, at the age of 88.
The House also offered Fateha for police personnel martyred in a terrorist attack in Kohat, civilians killed in Dera Ismail Khan, and those who lost their lives in an aircraft crash in Quetta.
Suspending its routine business, lawmakers from both treasury and opposition benches paid tribute to the late senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, recalling his political, parliamentary and legal services.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar expressed deep sorrow over Virk’s demise, saying his contributions to politics, parliament and the legal profession would always be remembered.
Tarar said Virk had been elected to the National Assembly five times and had remained steadfastly loyal to his leader, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, even during the most challenging political circumstances.
He said the late parliamentarian had diligently fulfilled the responsibilities entrusted to him by his party and had rendered commendable services as chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice.
Tarar said Virk had set an example of tolerance, patience, magnanimity and courtesy. During committee meetings, he ensured that all members were given ample opportunities to express their views and offer suggestions.
Recalling his personal qualities, the law minister said Virk was known for his warm smile, affection for others and courage in confronting difficult circumstances. He added that officers and staff of the Ministry of Law who had worked with him also held him in high regard.
Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Ali Khan sought the floor to speak on the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that, in keeping with parliamentary tradition, no other agenda item would be taken up on the day the House paid tribute to a deceased member.
Syed Naveed Qamar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Naeema Kishwar Khan of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Aslam Ghumman of PTI, Syed Hafeezuddin of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and other lawmakers also paid tribute to Virk and acknowledged his contributions to public service.
Earlier, Munir Iqbal Channar took oath as a Member of the National Assembly. He was elected in a by-election from constituency NA-168, Bahawalpur.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026