Taxi owner (55) dies on Pakistan trip

Mohammed Jamil Munir (55), from Chatburn Park Drive, Brierfield, was taken ill with a heart attack and died on Saturday. His funeral took place in Pakistan on Sunday.

Mr Munir was born in Pakistan in 1959, but was a young boy when his family brought him to Pendle to live in the early 1960s.

He served as a councillor with Pendle Council for four years after being elected in the early 2000s. He was a Liberal Democrat, but briefly served with the Labour Party before returning to the Liberals.

His friend Mr Shazad Ahmed, boss of Nelson transport firm Travel Wise in Scotland Road, said: “He had been to India for four weeks on a pilgrimage. He came home here, then spent two weeks visiting Pakistan with his son Muzammal and one of his daughters Nooryana, where he became ill.

“He was ill for one day - he suffered from a heart attack and died.”

And he added: “He was a man of great ability and worked tirelessly for the people of Pendle. He was my big friend.

“He was a great community worker, willing to help other people.

“He was devoted to his family and kids. I was greatly shocked and saddened to hear of his death. He lived in Brierfield most of his life.”

Mr Ahmed also felt sad for the family losing Mr Munir.

He revealed: “He was going to be a Liberal Democrat candidate at the next election later this year.”

He said Mr Munir would have been candidate for his party in Pendle Council’s Bradley Ward, Nelson. He has been a taxi owner and operator in Burnley, based on the black cab facility next to the town’s bus station.