Inheriting the Crown

Sikander’s sudden death at the age of fifty rocked the Punjab. He had been attending the triple wedding celebrations of his two eldest sons and daughter. ¹ The Premier had first complained of stomach pains at around 9.30 pm on the evening of 26 December. Less than two hours later his wife discovered him unconscious on his bed. Sikander was dead by the time Colonel Mirajkar his physician had arrived. ² Khizr summed up the feelings of his colleagues when he described Sikander’s death as ‘the greatest tragedy in these critical times. The loss would be mourned alike by all communities.’ ³