ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of Pakistan Peoples Party senior leader and founding member Taj Haider.

In a statement, the president paid tribute to the late Taj Haider for his services to the Pakistan Peoples Party and democracy.

Late Taj Haider was a valuable asset of the Pakistan Peoples Party and he was among one of the ideological workers of the party, the president said.

With the death of Taj Haider, the Pakistan Peoples Party has lost an important political leader, he remarked.

In a separate message, the prime minister paying tribute to the late Taj Haider, said that with his death, Pakistan had lost a valueable political leader.

The president and the prime minister extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Taj Haider and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family.

They prayed for the grant of eternal peace to departed soul, and patience and strength for the family to bear the loss with courage.

Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) veteran leader and Senator Taj Haider passed away in Karachi after  brief illness.

In a statement, the family said Haider had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Karachi.

His funeral prayers will be offered on Wednesday (April 9) after Zuhrain prayers at Masjid-o-Imambargah Yasrab, Phase 4, Defence Society, Karachi.

His wife confirmed the news, stating: “My husband, PPP Central General Secretary Senator Taj Haider, has passed away.”