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===Career in politics ===
===Career in politics ===


In 1991, Asif resigned from the [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International|BCCI]] and returned to Pakistan, shortly after the death of his [[Khawaja Muhammad Safdar|father]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2015}} In 1991, he became a [[List of Senators of Pakistan|member]] of the [[Senate of Pakistan]] and remained a Senator until 1993. His first election for the National Assembly of Pakistan was in 1993, which he went on to win, representing the people of NA-110 to the present day, after winning consecutive elections in 1997, 2002, 2008 and 2013.
In 1991, Asif resigned from the [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International|BCCI]] and returned to Pakistan to contest election for the Senate of Pakistan. After winning that election he went on to serve in the Pakistan Senate until 1993. His first election for the National Assembly of Pakistan was in 1993, which he went on to win, representing the people of NA-110 to the present day, after winning consecutive elections in 1997, 2002, 2008 and 2013.


Asif was appointed chairman of the [[Planning Commission (Pakistan)|Privatization Commission]] in 1997.<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 criticised the role of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> Responding to charges leveled up against him against the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]], Asif stated he could, sacrifice his life for the institution of [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/>
Asif was appointed chairman of the [[Planning Commission (Pakistan)|Privatization Commission]] in 1997.<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 criticised the role of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/> Responding to charges leveled up against him against the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]], Asif stated he could, sacrifice his life for the institution of [[Pakistan Armed Forces|military]].<ref name="News International, April 15, 2014"/>

Revision as of 11:13, 12 October 2015

MP
Khawaja Muhammad Asif
Defence Minister of Pakistan
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 November 2013
PresidentMamnoon Hussain
Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif
Preceded byNaveed Qamar
ConstituencyNA-110
Minister of Water and power
Incumbent
Assumed office
7 June 2013
PresidentMamnoon Hussain
Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif
Preceded byAhmed Mukhtar
chairman of the Privatization Commission
In office
18 February 1997 – 12 October 1999
Preceded byNaveed Qamar
Succeeded byShaukat Aziz
Personal details
Born
Khawaja Muhammad Asif

(1949-08-09) 9 August 1949 (age 75)
Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
CitizenshipPakistan
Nationality Pakistan
Political partyPakistan Muslim League (N)
SpouseMusarrat Asif
Alma materGovernment College University, Lahore (BA), Punjab University, Lahore (LLB)
OccupationBanker, Politican
CabinetSharif ministry

Khawaja Muhammad Asif (خواجہ محمد آصف; born 9 August 1949 in Sialkot), is a Pakistani politician, banker, cabinet member, and the current Minister for Water & Power, also holding the additional charge for Minister of Defence. A senior parliamentarian from the Pakistan Muslim League, his electoral career started in the Pakistan Senate in 1991. Punjab.[1] He is noted for initiating the privatisation of banking sector as well as his tough rhetoric against Pervez Musharraf.[2] In addition, he also short-tenured in the Petroleum ministry in the Gillani cabinet.[3]

Biography

Education and banking career

Khawaja Muhammad Asif was born in Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan, on 9 August 1949. He is of the Kashmiri decent.[4] His father, Muhammad Safdar, was an activist of Pakistan Movement, whose political career in Pakistan began shortly after partition, and continued till his retirement in the early '80s.

After attending a local high school in Sialkot, he enrolled in the Government College University (GC), Lahore. Following his graduation with a BA degree from GC, he joined Punjab University, Lahore, where he obtained an LLB (law degree)

He joined the banking sector shortly after graduating from Punjab University, taking his first job in his hometown of Sialkot.

Eventually, he moved to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and joined the Bank of Oman (now Mashreq Bank). He would later go on to join the BCCI where he worked until launching his political career.

A businessman and a banker by profession, he earned B.A/L.L.B degrees from University of the Punjab in 1970.

Career in politics

In 1991, Asif resigned from the BCCI and returned to Pakistan to contest election for the Senate of Pakistan. After winning that election he went on to serve in the Pakistan Senate until 1993. His first election for the National Assembly of Pakistan was in 1993, which he went on to win, representing the people of NA-110 to the present day, after winning consecutive elections in 1997, 2002, 2008 and 2013.

Asif was appointed chairman of the Privatization Commission in 1997.[5] His tenured was eventually terminated by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999 after staging a self-coup.[6] On 12 October 1999, Asif was arrested and was subjected to torture in a prison.[6] Despite the pressure by Pervez Musharraf to defect, Asif remained loyal to PML(N) and continue his criticism on Pervez Musharraf.[6] In 2002, he again defended the NA-110 constituency in general elections held in 2002.[6] 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 criticised the role of the military.[6] Responding to charges leveled up against him against the military, Asif stated he could, sacrifice his life for the institution of military.[6]

In 2008, Asif again stood well for his NA-110 constituent during the general elections.[5] 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.[5]

From 2009–12, he filed Public Interest Litigation against the corruption of the then Federal Government, that included Rental Power Plants case and LPG quota case.[6][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

  1. ^ Govt of Pakistan. "Minister for Water & Power". Govt. of Pakistan. PID. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Prime Minister's Secretariat press release was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Sajjad Malik, "24-member federal cabinet takes oath" Daily Times, 1 April 2008
  4. ^ 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)
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Dawn Newspaper, 2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Noorani, Ahmad (15 April 2014). "Khawaja Asif — the best choice for defence minister". News International, April 15, 2014. News International. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  7. ^ Ibrahim, Anjum (13 October 2014). "As opposition good, in government poor!". Business Recorder. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  8. ^ 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)
  9. ^ Hussain, Tayyab (8 June 2013). "25-member cabinet takes oath". Pakistan Today. Pakistan Today. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  10. ^ WEbdesk (27 November 2013). "Additional charge: Khawaja Asif made defence minister". Express News: Express Tribune, 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  11. ^ Yousaf, Kamran (28 April 2014). "Controversial remarks: Khawaja Asif may lose defence portfolio". Express News, 2014. Express News. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d "SC resumes hearing in dual nationality case". Dawn.com. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2012.

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