Senator Irfan Siddiqui, senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, distinguished columnist, and one of Pakistan’s most respected intellectuals, passed away in Islamabad on 10 November 2025 after a brief illness. His departure has left the PML-N family in deep mourning. Widely admired for his integrity, wisdom, and unwavering loyalty, he served as a close and trusted advisor to Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and remained a steadfast companion of the party through some of the most testing chapters of Pakistan’s democratic struggle.
Long before he entered the Senate, Irfan Siddiqui had already earned national recognition as a thoughtful and courageous Urdu columnist. His writing was marked by exceptional clarity and moral conviction. He consistently defended democratic norms, civilian authority, and constitutional continuity. At times when expedient narratives dominated the national conversation, he stood firm with principle and truth. His pen became an instrument for strengthening democratic institutions, resisting extra-constitutional interventions, and reminding the nation of the importance of political stability rooted in respect for public mandate.
His reflections on civil–military relations were grounded in a principled belief that sustainable progress can only be achieved when institutions operate within constitutional boundaries, free from coercion or selective accountability.
As a parliamentarian, he brought scholarship, statesmanship, and deep institutional memory to the Senate. Whether speaking in committee meetings or addressing the House, he articulated positions with calm reasoning, historical perspective, and a profound commitment to the Constitution of Pakistan. He believed that all state organs must remain within their defined limits and that parliament, representing the will of the people, must hold its rightful and central place in the governance structure. His colleagues, regardless of party affiliation, respected him for his intellectual honesty, humility, and decorum. He also headed the PML-N committee that drafted the party’s 2024 election manifesto, a responsibility he fulfilled with characteristic depth, balance, and intellectual rigour.
In his columns and speeches, Senator Siddiqui often reflected on Pakistan’s relationship with global powers, urging the country to cultivate a foreign policy rooted in dignity and sovereignty. He cautioned against dependence on external actors and frequently highlighted the need for national self-respect in the conduct of international relations. His reflections on civil–military relations were grounded in a principled belief that sustainable progress can only be achieved when institutions operate within constitutional boundaries, free from coercion or selective accountability. He was equally mindful of Pakistan’s moral identity, reminding citizens, especially those travelling for Hajj or representing the country abroad, that personal conduct contributes to the nation’s reputation and honour.
Throughout his life, Irfan Siddiqui exemplified loyalty, courage, and wisdom. He stood by Nawaz Sharif during moments of isolation and adversity.
Throughout his life, Irfan Siddiqui exemplified loyalty, courage, and wisdom. He stood by Nawaz Sharif during moments of isolation and adversity, offering counsel informed by experience, history, and an unshakeable belief in democratic values. For the PML-N, his passing is the loss of a senior leader and a voice of conscience, a chronicler of our political journey, and a guardian of constitutional ideals.
He leaves behind a written legacy that will continue to shape how future generations understand Pakistan’s political evolution and the responsibilities of citizenship. The PML-N family extends its deepest condolences to Senator Siddiqui’s bereaved family, praying for their strength and for the eternal peace of his soul. Senator Irfan Siddiqui will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude, for his service to democracy, his devotion to the party, and his firm faith in Pakistan’s future.
The writer is an educationist and teaches at the University of Central Punjab.
