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Khawaja Asif

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Khawaja Muhammad Asif
Asif in 2015
Minister of Defence
Assumed office
19 April 2022
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif
Preceded byParvez Khattak
In office
27 November 2013 – 28 July 2017
PresidentMamnoon Hussain
Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif
Preceded byNaveed Qamar
Succeeded byKhurram Dastgir Khan
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
4 August 2017 – 26 April 2018
PresidentMamnoon Hussain
Prime MinisterShahid Khaqan Abbasi
Preceded bySartaj Aziz (as Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs)
Succeeded byKhurram Dastgir Khan
Minister for Water and Power
In office
7 June 2013 – 28 July 2017
PresidentMamnoon Hussain
Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif
DeputyAbid Sher Ali
Preceded byAhmad Mukhtar
Succeeded bySyed Javed Ali Shah (as minister for Water Resources)
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (as minister for Energy)
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources
In office
31 March 2008 – 13 May 2008
PresidentPervez Musharraf
Prime MinisterYousaf Raza Gillani
Succeeded byAsim Hussain
Minister for Sports
In office
31 March 2008 – 13 May 2008
PresidentPervez Musharraf
Prime MinisterYousaf Raza Gillani
Member of National Assembly of Pakistan
Assumed office
13 August 2018
In office
2002–2018
In office
1993–1999
Personal details
Born (1949-08-09) 9 August 1949 (age 74)
Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
Political partyPakistan Muslim League (N)
SpouseMusarrat Asif Khawaja[1]
Parent
Alma materUniversity of the Punjab

Khawaja Muhammad Asif (Urdu: خواجہ محمد آصف; born 9 August 1949) is a Pakistani politician currently serving as the Defence Minister of Pakistan since April 2022, He has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, since August 2018. Previously, he was a member of the National Assembly from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2018 and till date. In May, 2019 he took the charge and became the Parliamentary Leader of PML-N in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

He served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Abbasi cabinet from August 2017 to April 2018 and simultaneously served as the Minister for Defence and Minister for Water and Power in the third Sharif ministry from 2013 to 2017.

Asif began his political career after getting elected to the Senate of Pakistan during the Sharif's first ministry in 1991. Since 1997, he had served as a member of the federal cabinet, in various positions. From 1997 to 1999, he was as the chairman of the Privatization Commission of Pakistan during the second government of Nawaz Sharif. He briefly held the cabinet portfolios of the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources in the Gillani ministry in 2008, with an additional charge as Minister for Sports.

Early life and education

Asif was born on 9 August 1949[2][3] in Sialkot, Punjab,[4][5] to Khawaja Muhammad Safdar.[6][7] He received his early education at Cadet College Hasan Abdal.[8] He attained his bachelor's degree from Government College University Lahore , but was gifted L.L.B. degree from the University Law College, Lahore.[5][9] Asif is a banker by profession and has worked in the different banks of the United Arab Emirates on iqama where he lived for several years until 1999.[10][11] He has a son and three daughters.[11][12]

In 2007, he was awarded honorary doctorate degree in international relations by the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations .[13]

Political career

Asif began his political career in 1991[3] on returning to Pakistan following the death of his father after living in the United Arab Emirates for many years. In 1991, he was elected to the Senate of Pakistan as a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) for three years.[10][14] He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan from Constituency NA-110 (Sialkot) in 1993 general election.[10][14]

He was re-elected to the National Assembly in 1997 general election[14] Khawaja Asif contested 2002 general election elections from NA 110 and won his seats by taking 42,743 votes.[15][14]

Asif contested 2008 general election from NA 110 and obtained 73,007 votes.[16][10][14]

In 2013 Pakistani general election, Asif was re-elected as a member of the National Assembly from NA 110 taking 92,848 votes against his opponent Usman Dar who obtained 71,573 votes.[14][17]

He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PML-N from Constituency NA-73 (Sialkot-II) in 2018 Pakistani general election.[18] He received 116,957 votes and defeated Usman Dar who received 115464 votes and won by only 1700+ votes.[19] In May, 2019 he took the charge and became the Parliamentary Leader of PMLN in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Ministrial career

In 1997 Government

He was appointed as the chairman of the Privatization Commission of Pakistan with the status of a minister during Second Nawaz Sharif ministry in 1997.[10][14][20] His tenure was terminated following the counter-coup 1999 coup d'état in which then Chief of Army Staff, Pervez Musharraf, overthrew Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in response to Sharif indirectly hijacking Musharraf's plane and ordering it to land outside Pakistan.

During 2008 coalition government

He was briefly appointed as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, as well as the Minister of Sports in the Gillani ministry in 2008 before his party pulled out of the Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition government.[10]

During 2013 Third Nawaz Sharif ministry

In June 2013, he was appointed as the Minister of Water and Power and later given additional portfolio of Minister of Defence in November 2013 under Third Nawaz Sharif ministry.[21][22]

During 2017 Abbasi ministry

He had ceased to hold ministerial office in July 2017 when the federal cabinet was disbanded following the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after Panama Papers case decision.[23] Following the election of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Asif was inducted into the federal cabinet of Abbasi and was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs for the first time.[24][25] Earlier, Pakistan had no Minister for Foreign Affairs since the PML-N came to power in May 2013[24] as former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself held the cabinet portfolio of foreign affairs.[26]

Controversy and scandals

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) took Asif into its custody on corruption charges after the military takeover but later, he was released.[27]

Dual nationality controversy

In June 2012, a petition admitted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan's registrar stated that Asif holds dual nationality, and hence, according to Pakistan's constitution, he is not eligible to hold public office in Pakistan. Following this, the Federal Investigations Agency and the Supreme Court began an investigation pursuing inquiries of Asif's dual nationality charges. The court did not find him guilty of the charges petitioned against him; the petitioner who leveled the charges withdrew the accusations and issued a formal apology.[28]

Rigging allegations in 2013 elections

Asif's victory was challenged in 2013 elections by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging he had received fake votes. On 10 November 2016 Supreme Court dismissed this petition.[29]

Work permit controversy in 2013 elections

On 26 April 2018, he was disqualified from holding a public office for life by the Islamabad High Court over possessing a UAE work permit. He was unseated by the Election Commission of Pakistan as Member of the National Assembly.[30][31] Following this Asif challenged his disqualification in the Supreme Court. In June 2018, the Supreme Court suspended the lifetime disqualification and declared the decision of Islamabad High Court null and void, and allowed Asif to contest elections.[32]

Asset beyond means case

He was arrested on 29 December 2020 by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in assets beyond means case.[33] He was released on bail by Lahore High Court on 23 June 2021 in the assets beyond means case.

References

  1. ^ Wasim, Amir (14 June 2018). "For PML-N, only family seems to matter". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  2. ^ "If elections are held on time…". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Who is Khawaja Asif? Meet Pakistan's first foreign minister since 2013". The Financial Express. 5 August 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Detail Information". 11 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ a b "Profile of Khawaja Muhammad Asif". Ministry of Water & Power. 17 October 2016. Archived from the original on 17 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ Ghumman, Khawar (7 June 2013). "Experience and loyalty count in the PML-N kitchen cabinet". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Medical college named after Khwaja Safdar". Dawn. Pakistan. 13 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Prominent Abdalians in Civil Sector". www.cch.edu.pk. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  9. ^ "Profile / Khawaja Asif". Senate of the Pakistan. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Khawaja Muhammad Asif". Dawn. 28 April 2013. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  11. ^ a b "PRIVATE POWER & INFRASTRUCTURE BOARD". www.ppib.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Profile". www.mofa.gov.pk. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  13. ^ Siddiqui, Naveed (15 November 2017). "Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif conferred with an honorary PhD by Swiss University". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Federal cabinet unveiled: Enter the ministers – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 8 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  15. ^ "Election Result NA-110 Sialkot -I Punjab | Pakistan Election 2013 - geo.tv". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  16. ^ "Geo.tv: Latest News Breaking Pakistan, World, Live Videos". www.geo.tv. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  17. ^ "NA-110 from Sialkot goes to Khwaja Muhammad Asif – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 12 May 2013. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  18. ^ Birmani, Tariq Saeed (29 July 2018). "Khawaja Asif remains unbeaten in Sialkot's NA-73". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  19. ^ "NA-73 Result - Election Results 2018 - Sialkot 2 - NA-73 Candidates - NA-73 Constituency Details - thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  20. ^ Jamil, Farah (7 June 2013). "26 member Cabinet to take oath today". Aaj News. Archived from the original on 21 January 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  21. ^ Dawn.com, Agencies (27 November 2013). "Khawaja Asif given additional charge of defence ministry". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  22. ^ "Additional charge: Khawaja Asif made defence minister – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 27 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  23. ^ "PM Nawaz Sharif steps down; federal cabinet stands dissolved". Daily Pakistan Global. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  24. ^ a b Khan, Sanaullah (4 August 2017). "New cabinet takes oath: Khawaja Asif foreign minister, Ahsan Iqbal interior minister". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  25. ^ "Pakistan Swears In New Federal Cabinet". Newsweek Pakistan. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  26. ^ "Pakistan gets new cabinet, Khawaja Asif is foreign minister". www.hindustantimes.com. 4 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  27. ^ "Kashmiris, Arains to decide NA-110 winner". DAWN. 24 September 2002. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  28. ^ "SC suspends membership of three MPAs over dual nationality". Dawn. 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  29. ^ "SC dismisses PTI petition challenging Khawaja Asif's election as MNA – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 10 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  30. ^ "IHC disqualifies Khawaja Asif over possessing UAE iqama". DAWN.COM. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  31. ^ "Khawaja Asif out of politics for life, rules IHC". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  32. ^ Nasir Iqbal, Haseeb Bhatti (1 June 2018). "SC overturns Khawaja Asif's 'disqualification for life', allows him to contest elections". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  33. ^ "NAB arrests PML-N leader Khawaja Asif in assets beyond means case". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 29 December 2020.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Unknown
 Minister for Sports
2008—2008 		Succeeded by
Unknown
Preceded by
Unknown
 Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources
2008—2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Water and Power
2013—2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Defence
2013—2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Foreign Affairs
2017— 2018 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khawaja_Asif&oldid=1121874521"