Kamaluddin Azfar (; 1930 – 26 May 2025) was a Pakistani politician from

Sindh Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...

. He was

Finance Minister A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position . A ministry of finance's portfoli ...

and later

Governor of Sindh The governor of Sindh is the appointed head of the province of Sindh, Pakistan. The office of the governor as the head of the province is largely a ceremonial position; the executive powers lie with the Chief Secretary of Sindh, Chief Secretary ...

. Azfar was elected as a member of the

Pakistan People's Party The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is a political party in Pakistan and one of the three major Pakistani political parties alongside the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. With a centre-left political position, it is cu ...

, a constitutional expert, and a writer. He held numerous prominent positions, most notably as Governor of Sindh, Senator, and Federal Minister.

Early life and education

Born in April 1930, Azfar began his academic journey at

Government College Lahore The Government College University (colloquially known as GCU; Punjabi, Urdu: ) is a public research university in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Founded as Government College, Lahore, in 1864 under British administration, it became a university ...

, followed by studies at

Balliol College, Oxford Balliol College () is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. Founded in 1263 by nobleman John I de Balliol, it has a claim to be the oldest college in Oxford and the English-speaking world. With a governing body of a master and aro ...

, where he studied law. He was called to the Bar at Inner

Temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a place of worship, a building used for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. By convention, the specially built places of worship of some religions are commonly called "temples" in Engli ...

, London. These experiences abroad, particularly in post-war Britain, shaped his understanding of governance, rule of law, and democratic systems—an influence he would carry into his political and legal work in Pakistan.

Legal and political career

After returning to Pakistan, Kamal Azfar practiced law in

Karachi Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...

and became known for his deep understanding of constitutional matters. He joined the PPP in its early years and quickly rose through its ranks due to his legal acumen and political insight.

Major roles

*Finance Minister of Sindh * Federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development * Senator in the Pakistan Senate * Special Assistant to Prime Minister

Benazir Bhutto Benazir Bhutto (21 June 1953 – 27 December 2007) was a Pakistani politician who served as the 11th prime minister of Pakistan from 1988 to 1990, and again from 1993 to 1996. She was also the first woman elected to head a democratic governmen ...

(Appointed in 1995) Azfar was part of several legislative and governance reforms, often working closely with Benazir Bhutto on legal and constitutional issues. During his time in Sindh's provincial and federal governments, he focused on urban development, housing, and governance reforms.

Intellectual and literary contributions

Azfar was a respected author and academic voice. His notable works include: * ''Pakistan: Political and Constitutional Dilemmas'' (1987) * ''Asian Drama Revisited'' (1992) * ''Pakistan Under the Military'' (1991) * ''Good Governance'' (1994) * ''Discovery of Pakistan'' (2005) * ''Waters of Lahore'' (2014) He was a research assistant to Nobel Laureate Gunnar Myrdal on the influential "Asian Drama" project in the early 1960s. His books remain essential readings for those studying South Asian political systems and Pakistan's governance challenges.

Death and tributes

Kamaluddin Azfar died at the age of 95 on 26 May 2025 in

after a long illness. Tributes came from all sides of the political spectrum: * Senate Chairman

Yousaf Raza Gillani Yusuf Raza Gilani (born 9 June 1952) is a Pakistani politician who served as the 16th prime minister of Pakistan from 2008 to 2012. He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan since 2024. Chairman Gilani served as the acti ...

expressed “deep sorrow and grief,” recognizing Azfar’s role in shaping PPP policy. * Sindh Chief Minister

Murad Ali Shah Sayyid, Syed Murad Ali Shah (; born 8 November 1962) is a Pakistani politician and structural engineer who is currently serving as the Chief Minister of Sindh province of Pakistan and a member of the Sindh Assembly. It is his third term as Chi ...

called him “a wise and seasoned political leader.” * PPP Senator

Sherry Rehman Shehrbano "Sherry" Rehman (; born 21 December 1960) is a Pakistani politician and journalist who has been the member of the Senate of Pakistan since 2015. She was the first female Leader of the Opposition in the Senate from March to August 2018 ...

praised his “commitment to democracy and social justice.”

References

1930 births 2025 deaths Pakistan People's Party politicians Governors of Sindh 20th-century Pakistani politicians {{Pakistan-politician-stub