A veteran journalist and former caretaker Federal Minister of Information and Postal Services Alif Nizami died in Lahore on Wednesday, his nephew Babar Nizami told Geographic News.

The veteran reporter received treatment in the hospital in the last two weeks after the heart attack. Babar said that after the attack, he was transferred to the intensive care unit, but he was unable to recover from it and took his last breath today.

Nizami served as a caretaker federal minister in the cabinet of former caretaker prime minister Mir Hazar Khan Koso in 2013. He is the son of Hameed Nizami, the founder of the Nawa-i-Waqt newspaper group.

The details of his funeral prayer will be announced later.

In response to the reporter’s death, Prime Minister Imran Khan said: “I feel sad to learn about the passing of Arif Nizami, a senior journalist, editor and political commentator.”

“I extend my condolences and prayers to his family,” he added.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said he was saddened by the news of Nizami’s death, adding that it was a “personal loss” for him.

“May Allah have mercy on the dead,” he added.

Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry stated that he has a long-term relationship with Nizami. “His father and my grandfather worked together for Pakistan.”

“He is like a family elder to me,” he added.

Murtaza Wahab, a spokesman for the Sindh Provincial Government, said that Nizami is an icon in the field of journalism and he always prefers substance rather than sensationalism.

The spokesperson added: “May Allah Ta’ala bless his soul and provide strength to the families who have lost their loved ones.”