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Born in 1958, Ahsan Iqbal is a Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart who currently holds the post of Minister of Interior and Minister for Planning and Development, under the premiership of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Iqbal has been associated with prestigious educational institutions such as Government College Lahore, University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore), University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University and Harvard University.
He has been elected as an MNA four times — in 1993, 1997, 2008 and 2013.
Iqbal played his role in several key government positions. He served as deputy chairman Planning Commission and chairman Pakistan Engineering Board and was also a chairman for the National Steering Committees on Information Technology and IQM and Productivity.
Iqbal has to his credit Pakistan's first national IT policy which was formulated upon his initiative. He also taught Management at the Mohammad Ali Jinnah University in Islamabad (2000-2007) and chairs a think-tank called Better Pakistan Foundation.
The PML-N leader also served as federal minister for education with an additional charge of minorities’ affairs for a short period of time before his party pulled out of the Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition government in 2008.
Iqbal, like fellow party leaders, has been an advocate of a sovereign foreign policy and is of the opinion that post-9/11 US policies have fuelled anti-American sentiment among the Pakistani public. He is also in favour of the Nawaz government’s 1998 policy on ties with neighbouring India.
A party stalwart, Iqbal was also made part of PML-N’s parliamentary board tasked with selecting candidates for the 2013 election. The board mostly comprised of Nawaz loyalists who kept the party alive during the Musharraf regime.
Last year the federal cabinet member, who oversees the $54 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, became a subject of controversy when he was found to be a holder of Iqama (work permit) of Saudi Arabia.
Comments (39) Closed
Get well soon sir!
I only know him as a member of corrupt political party and an incompetent person
Holding of Iqama is not a crime. Only if it is renewed and valid for the period under question, then it becomes questionable. Sme is the case of dual nationality.
Very learned and capable people once joined the higher ranks in the Government they only sing the praiseworthy songs whether the actions/policies of their Government are in favor of the common or not.
Did he declare his Iqama work? Seeem to be another beneficiary of Nawaz clan's rule.
@M. Saeed it is a crime since it amounts to confluct of interest. A pakistani minister can not serve under a foreign company. But more importantly, NS and Khawaja Asif were not disqualified for iqama but fir misdeclaration resulting due to non disclosure of assets under iqama.
Pakistan is full of hundreds thousands competent people who can deliver and present Pakistan better then Ahsan Iqbal.Nation is fed up from dishonest people.
What was his graduation. I mean, in which subject he has done his graduation from uet.
@umair Ahmed well,you know so little
@Umair Ahmed, bravo at your logic, how do you know him as an incompetent person? He was one of the most inspiring and devoted ministers this country has ever seen. And by your logic, how do you like the corrupt stalwarts (taken from PPP and PMLN presumably) in PTI?
ECP should forbid anyone holding iqama, residency visa etc from national or state elections.
@Rebel mechanical engineering
With such credentials how come he works for a corrupt political party
Commenting is easy , doing something is difficult. Please replace him if you can
He is well educated person and I don’t think he need some worthless Iqama. He can work any where in world with very good salary.
I wish him well and fast recovery. However the way he talks and threatens the judiciary, he doesn’t sound like an educated person at all.
@Rebel Mechanical Engineering I think
Having excellent educational carrier.
@Rebel mechanical engineering
Ahson Iqbal is an interesting personality, well educated and visionary person ... Whatever he has delivered for the country so far, is the best possible. Yes, one can differ on his approach and idea, but it is his right to follow whatever he deems best with the consultation of learned people.
Iqbal has been associated with prestigious educational institutions such as Government College Lahore, University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore), University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University and Harvard University
If it is true that he went to U. Pen, Georgetown and Harvard then it is very sad that despite all these educations he still supports one of the most corrupt person and party in Pakistan.
One of the brightest lads in politics. Get well soon, Ahsan. The nation needs intelligent, clean and clear-headed men like you.
Get well soon,we need people like you.........
@Ihsan why dont you enlighten us. With all due respect. Sir!
@Afzal khan conflict of interest is not a predicate offence in Pakistan penal code; as of today. Don't take words from dictionary for legal justifications.
Our political affiliations have blinded us and we fail to appreciate the good ppl in other parties. Let's agree to disagree.
I strongly condemn the attack on Ahsan Iqbal's life and pray for his speedy recuperation.Chivalry demands that he should not be criticised when he is struggling with his life.Think of his family and utter a few words of sympathy.When a boxer is knocked out,the opponent is not allowed to punch him anymore.
Iqama should not be discussed, if we discuss any personality in Pakistan. That’s a sincere request from me for all the sensible people in Pakistan as a lot of people from all walks of life in Pakistan hold this because of a number of reasons. It’s not just the employment or transfer of money to Overseas accounts, because of which Iqamas are arranged. I believe every politician or a any holder of iqama should be assessed individually, irrespective of his political affiliations. Cases decided on the basis of iqamas alone, should be reviewed.
@umair Ahmed You see what you want to see. If any of PMLN member joins PTI you will see him very differently.
Hope he gets well soon and serves the country to the best of his capabilities. Iqama or no iqama, I believe the kind of world we are now living in, we should be indifferent to it. After all, the world is now a global village.
@umair Ahmed
Your have prejudice in your heart and mind. Look at his Academic Qualifications and his achievements for Pakistan. I believe you are from PTI that's why cant see anything else.
@M. Saeed Having resident permit or Dual Nationality does not prevent a person from being honest or Loyal to Pakistan. If I compare his Academic Qualifications and hos role in Planning for Pakistan's development I think he is more suitable than 95% current politicians of all political parties.
Pakistan public should think while casting vote that who has delivered for Public not just claiming reforms (in papers). PML(N) , PTI, PPPP and their allies should be judged on delivered projects and legislation have been done for public benefits. IK has never attended the session but still got the salary and benefits then how can we say they are honest and still trying to fool public that I will do much better if you elect me as PM. If a person is dishonest for his Salary and benefits then how he will honest when he has billions on his disposal. He is doing blame and lies politics. Politicians are keeping an eye on next elections and Leaders delivers for their Generations.
@Rebel he did civil engineering. Very impressive union leader of Jamiat. He had good command of speaches. If i am not wrong he is son of a famous Jamat Islami women wing senior worker missing her name.
I wonder after having such a good credentials he associated with corrupt politicians. I am sure he learned from them to get Iqama so that he could open foreign accounts. I am sure he is corrupt and a thief.
Get well soon sir
@umair Ahmed Any proof Mr Umair, can you also provide evidence in a court of law?
Honourable minster Ahsan Iqbal sb Get well soon.
@Rebel , mechanical engineering.
@saeeds We doubt what you say but lets agree for one second. Why should he keep a residential visa for another country when he is a resident and minister of a government in pakistan. Why does he need that? Obviously for money laundering purposes. Most of the public in Pakistan is illiterate and do not understand such things but these ministers can not fool everybody in pakistan and especially pakistanis living and working abroad. Frankly i am not impressed by his degrees and education abroad as he does not seem to have learnt anything about rule of law and honesty.
Unfortunately, this is the reason why most educated people don't go into politics. They get tarnished and accused of being corrupt or work for corrupt leaders. All political parties in Pakistan have corruption and other issues, even the darling of news and social media PTI. How can we get honest and capable people into politics when the perception of people for politicians is so poor. Parents of educated people also doesn't want them to go into politics rather want them to or for banks or multinational companies as they perceive that to be a stable career for their children. In other countries the most educated go into politics but not in Pakistan for the above mentioned reasons. Sad times.