Khawaja Asif: Difference between revisions
The education summary was incorrect, as were both facts and chronological details of his career as a banker. Contrary to the prior info, he did not attend the LSE, not has he ever resided in the UK. In fact, he does not hold a masters degree. |
Relationship with Agha Abedi speculative. His links to PMLN go back to his days as a student activist. His first election was for senator, while the NA110 seat was not contested for another 2 years. His father was alive at time of first election. |
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===Career in politics === |
===Career in politics === |
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In 1991, Asif resigned from the [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International|BCCI]] and returned to Pakistan. In 1991, he first competed for the Senate of Pakistan and eventually becoming a junior [[List of Senators of Pakistan|Senator]] until 1993.<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, 2013">{{cite news|last1=Kazmi|first1=Imran|last2=Dawn.com|title=Khawaja Muhammad Asif by Dawn|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1024457/khawaja-muhammad-asif|accessdate=23 September 2014|agency=Dawn Newspaper|publisher=Dawn Newspaper, 2013|date=April 28, 2013}}</ref> From 1993–96, he worked on [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]]'s public image and participated well for [[Constituency NA-110|NA-110]] constituency during the [[Pakistani general elections, 1997|general elections]] held in 1997.<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, 2013"/> |
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Asif was appointed chairman of the [[Planning Commission (Pakistan)|Privatization Commission]] and implemented a rigorous [[deregulation]] as well as [[Privatization in Pakistan|privatization]] of [[Banking in Pakistan|banking sector]].<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, 2013"/> His tenured was eventually terminated by General [[Pervez Musharraf]] in 1999 after staging a [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|self-coup]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014">{{cite news|last1=Noorani|first1=Ahmad|title=Khawaja Asif — the best choice for defence minister|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-244328-Khawaja-Asif-%E2%80%94-the-best-choice-for-defence-minister|accessdate=23 September 2014|agency=News International|publisher=News International, April 15, 2014|date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> On 12 October 1999, Asif was arrested and was subjected to torture in a [[Punjab Prisons (Pakistan)|prison]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> Despite the pressure by [[Pervez Musharraf]] to defect, Asif remained loyal to [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]] and continue his criticism on [[Pervez Musharraf]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> In 2002, he again defended the [[Constituency NA-110|NA-110]] constituency in [[Pakistani general elections, 2002|general elections]] held in 2002.<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> From 2002–07, Asif worked on [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]]'s public image and party's programme. During this time, he drew a wide criticism on Musharraf and the growing influence of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]] in [[Politics of Pakistan|national politics]]. In 2006, Asif heavily criticised the role of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]] at the public circle and well quoted: "people started openly criticising negative role of institutions which in fact was defaming these institutions in the eyes of general public."<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> Responding to charges leveled up against him against the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]], Asif stated he could, on record, sacrifice his life for the institution of [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> Eventually, his arguments provided a basis for the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]] to withdraw from the politics and helped the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|institution]] to work onto to restore its image in the [[Pakistani society|civil society]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> |
Asif was appointed chairman of the [[Planning Commission (Pakistan)|Privatization Commission]] and implemented a rigorous [[deregulation]] as well as [[Privatization in Pakistan|privatization]] of [[Banking in Pakistan|banking sector]].<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, 2013"/> His tenured was eventually terminated by General [[Pervez Musharraf]] in 1999 after staging a [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|self-coup]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014">{{cite news|last1=Noorani|first1=Ahmad|title=Khawaja Asif — the best choice for defence minister|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-244328-Khawaja-Asif-%E2%80%94-the-best-choice-for-defence-minister|accessdate=23 September 2014|agency=News International|publisher=News International, April 15, 2014|date=April 15, 2014}}</ref> On 12 October 1999, Asif was arrested and was subjected to torture in a [[Punjab Prisons (Pakistan)|prison]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> Despite the pressure by [[Pervez Musharraf]] to defect, Asif remained loyal to [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]] and continue his criticism on [[Pervez Musharraf]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> In 2002, he again defended the [[Constituency NA-110|NA-110]] constituency in [[Pakistani general elections, 2002|general elections]] held in 2002.<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> From 2002–07, Asif worked on [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|PML(N)]]'s public image and party's programme. During this time, he drew a wide criticism on Musharraf and the growing influence of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]] in [[Politics of Pakistan|national politics]]. In 2006, Asif heavily criticised the role of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]] at the public circle and well quoted: "people started openly criticising negative role of institutions which in fact was defaming these institutions in the eyes of general public."<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> Responding to charges leveled up against him against the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]], Asif stated he could, on record, sacrifice his life for the institution of [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> Eventually, his arguments provided a basis for the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]] to withdraw from the politics and helped the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|institution]] to work onto to restore its image in the [[Pakistani society|civil society]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> |
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Revision as of 14:37, 11 October 2015
Khawaja Muhammad Asif | |
|---|---|
| Defence Minister of Pakistan | |
| Assumed office 27 November 2013 | |
| President | Mamnoon Hussain |
| Prime Minister | Nawaz Sharif |
| Preceded by | Naveed Qamar |
| Constituency | NA-110 |
| Minister of Water and power | |
| Assumed office 7 June 2013 | |
| President | Mamnoon Hussain |
| Prime Minister | Nawaz Sharif |
| Preceded by | Ahmed Mukhtar |
| chairman of the Privatization Commission | |
| In office 18 February 1997 – 12 October 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Naveed Qamar |
| Succeeded by | Shaukat Aziz |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Khawaja Muhammad Asif 9 August 1949 Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Citizenship | Pakistan |
| Nationality |  Pakistan |
| Political party | Pakistan Muslim League (N) |
| Spouse | Musarrat Asif |
| Alma mater | Punjab University LLB, BBA London School of Economics (MSc) |
| Occupation | Banker, businessman |
| Cabinet | Sharif ministry |
Khawaja Muhammad Asif (خواجہ محمد آصف; born 9 August 1949 in Sialkot), is a Pakistani politician, banker, senior conservative thinker, and the current Defence minister as well as Power and Water minister, serving in this capacity since June 2013.[1]
A senior parliamentarian from the Pakistan Muslim League, his electoral career started in 1991 from the NA-110 of Sialkot, Punjab.[2] He is noted for initiating the privatisation of banking sector as well as his tough rhetoric against Pervez Musharraf.[1] In addition, he also short-tenured in the Petroleum ministry in the Gillani cabinet.[3] Differences seemed to develop between Khwaja Asif and Nawaz Sharif when he offered to resign alleging that he did not have control over his own ministry.[4]
Biography
Education and banking career
Khawaja Muhammad Asif was born in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan, on 9 August 1949. He is of the Kashmiri decent.[5] His father, Muhammad Safdar, was an activist of Pakistan Movement and had been well known in country's political circles.[2] His father was a supporter of the President Zia-ul-Haq's conservative programmes.
After attending a local high school in Sialkot, he entered in the Government College University, Lahore to study politics and history, followed by an LLB from Punjab University, Lahore. Shortly after obtaining his LLB he started a career in banking, beginning with a job at a local bank in Sialkot.
Eventually, he moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to continue his career in banking. After nearly 17 years in the banking sectors of Pakistan and the UAE he returned to Pakistan to join politics.
Career in politics
In 1991, Asif resigned from the BCCI and returned to Pakistan. In 1991, he first competed for the Senate of Pakistan and eventually becoming a junior Senator until 1993.[6] From 1993–96, he worked on PML(N)'s public image and participated well for NA-110 constituency during the general elections held in 1997.[6]
Asif was appointed chairman of the Privatization Commission and implemented a rigorous deregulation as well as privatization of banking sector.[6] His tenured was eventually terminated by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999 after staging a self-coup.[7] On 12 October 1999, Asif was arrested and was subjected to torture in a prison.[7] Despite the pressure by Pervez Musharraf to defect, Asif remained loyal to PML(N) and continue his criticism on Pervez Musharraf.[7] In 2002, he again defended the NA-110 constituency in general elections held in 2002.[7] From 2002–07, Asif worked on PML(N)'s public image and party's programme. During this time, he drew a wide criticism on Musharraf and the growing influence of the military in national politics. In 2006, Asif heavily criticised the role of the military at the public circle and well quoted: "people started openly criticising negative role of institutions which in fact was defaming these institutions in the eyes of general public."[7] Responding to charges leveled up against him against the military, Asif stated he could, on record, sacrifice his life for the institution of military.[7] Eventually, his arguments provided a basis for the military to withdraw from the politics and helped the institution to work onto to restore its image in the civil society.[7]
In 2008, Asif again stood well for his NA-110 constituent during the general elections.[6] He was briefly appointed as the Minister Petroleum and Natural Resources with an additional charge of sports before his party pulled out of the Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition government in 2008.[6]
From 2009–12, he vigorously worked and played a key role in stopping mega corruption at different levels and also created hurdles for future for any corrupt elements; such notable cases include" Rental Power Plants case and LPG quota case.[7]
Minister of Water and Defence (2013–)
In 2013, Asif participated to defend the NA-110 constituency in the general elections, against Firdous Ashiq Awan of the PPP.[8] Asif secured ~92,848 votes with a percentile of 52.46%.[8] On June 7, 2013, he was appointed in the Ministry of Water and Power as its minister.[9]
After the appointments of joint chief committee were finished, Asif was appointed Defence Minister, with an additional department on 27 November 2013.[10] Upon becoming Defence Minister, Asif tightened the government investigations on Musharraf who is facing the treason trial.[11]
Other issues
Dual nationality proceedings
On 4 June 2012, the FIA and the Supreme Court of Pakistan began an investigation and inquiries on Asif's dual nationality charges.[12] A petition admitted by Supreme Court'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.[12] The petition also included names of 13 other current members of National and Provincial assemblies in Pakistan. However, the court didn't find him guilty in this regard[12] and the petitioner who levelled charges apologised and withdrew from accusations.[12]
References
- ^ a b Public domain, Govt. publications. "Ministers in Nawaz cabinet". Prime Minister's Secretariat press release. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
- ^ a b Govt of Pakistan. "Minister for Water & Power". Govt. of Pakistan. PID. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
- ^ Sajjad Malik, "24-member federal cabinet takes oath" Daily Times, 1 April 2008
- ^ http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-33171-Tale-of-Kh-Asifs-frustration-and-resignation
- ^ et. al. dawn staff writer and editor (28 April 2013). "Khawaja Muhammad Asif". Dawn Newspapers,2013. Dawn News. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
{{cite news}}:|last1=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c d e Kazmi, Imran; Dawn.com (28 April 2013). "Khawaja Muhammad Asif by Dawn". Dawn Newspaper, 2013. Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Noorani, Ahmad (15 April 2014). "Khawaja Asif — the best choice for defence minister". News International, April 15, 2014. News International. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Election results". ECP release to POL. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|last1=(help)CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link) - ^ Hussain, Tayyab (8 June 2013). "25-member cabinet takes oath". Pakistan Today. Pakistan Today. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ WEbdesk (27 November 2013). "Additional charge: Khawaja Asif made defence minister". Express News: Express Tribune, 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ Yousaf, Kamran (28 April 2014). "Controversial remarks: Khawaja Asif may lose defence portfolio". Express News, 2014. Express News. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d "SC resumes hearing in dual nationality case". Dawn.com. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
External links
- Living people
- 1949 births
- Kashmiri people
- People from Sialkot
- Pakistani politicians
- Punjabi people
- Pakistani bankers
- University of the Punjab alumni
- Alumni of the London School of Economics
- Pakistan Muslim League (N) politicians
- Pakistani expatriates in the United Arab Emirates
- Water and Power Ministers of Pakistan
- Defence Ministers of Pakistan
- Pakistani democracy activists