Raja Pervaiz Ashraf
Raja Pervail Ashraf | |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Water and Power | |
| In office 31 March 2008 – Incumbent | |
| Preceded by | Liaquat Ali Jatoi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 26, 1950 Sanghar, Pakistan |
| Political party | Pakistan Peoples Party |
| Alma mater | University of Sindh |
| Occupation | Politician |
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf (Urdu: راجہ پرویز اشرف) (born December 26, 1950 in Sanghar, Sindh) is the current Minister for Water and Power of Pakistan in the PM Yousaf Raza Gillani-led cabinet.[1] He is a senior leader of Pakistan Peoples Party from Rawalpindi District.
He has been twice elected MNA from his constituency of Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi District, the latest being the February 2008 elections. He became the Federal Minister in the coalition government of PPP, PML-N, ANP and JUI-F formed after 2008 elections.[2]
Political Career
Pervaiz Ashraf was born in Sanghar District in the interior Sindh. After completing a bachelors degree from University of Sindh in 1970, his professional occupation has been that of business and agriculture. After that, he joined the center-left PPP, and made Gujar Khan his new home. In the 2008 election he beat the PML (N) candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Riaz in the NA-51 general elections.
Personal Life
He was Chairman of Social Action from 1994 to 1996. He is married with two sons and two daughters. His sons are business administrator and a barrister, respectively.
2009 Arrest Warrant
On November 7, 2009, A local court in Rawalpindi issued a arrest warrant against him along with other accused PPP leaders and order local Police to arrest those who were involved in torturing a witness and court’s staffers during proceeding of a corruption case in 1999.[3]
Political Influence to Ministry of Water and Power
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had joined Ministry of Water and Power on the especial request of his real brother in law Mr. Riaz Ahmad Khan, who was already working as Advisor Ministry of Water and. Power since many years after his retirement. Mr. Riaz Ahmad Khan is a famous manipulator in energy sector of Pakistan because of his political connections and maneuvering skills. When he was additional Secretary and Chairman Federal Flood Commission he was leveled with corruption charges.
Corruption Allegation
On 6 September 2009[1], the leading investigation journalist of Pakistan, Mr. Rauf Klasra disclosed in his exclusive story that Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had purchased a multi million pound six bedroom luxury flat in the heart of London. The huge house located adjacent to the Marble Arch area of London, has been purchased at a total cost of £4.3 million and the money was said to be transferred through a money exchange dealer based in F-10 Markaz.
The money dealer whose is close relative of Zarar Aslam a official of Ministry of Water and Power had sent this huge money through illegal channels. The minister is said to have paid cash to buy this property instead of seeking any mortgage from some local bank, as it is usually done in Great Britain.
Sources said that no mortgage was sought and the amount was paid in cash only to hide the identity of the minister who was buying the flat. The political sources in London claimed that the money was sent in installments through Hunddi business, therefore the transfer of this money was not traced by the concerned agencies. The sources claimed that the minister could also face the serious charges of “money laundering” as he had sent the money in huge amounts through illegal channels instead of using the normal banking channels.
References
- ^ Sajjad Malik, "24-member federal cabinet takes oath" Daily Times, April 01, 2008
- ^ Amir Wasim, "Parties finally clinch deal on key ministries" Dawn Newspaper, March 29, 2008
- ^ "Court issues warrant of Pervez Ashraf". Rawalpindi: GEO Tv. November 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
External links
- Profile of Raja Pervaiz Ashraf
- Profile at PILDAT
- [2]PPP Federal Minister for Water & Power Raja Pervez Ashraf Buys £4.3m Flat in London