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Profile: Ijaz Shah — Imran Khan's new Interior Minister
The PTI government on Thursday announced the appointment of retired Brig Ijaz Shah as Interior Minister — a portfolio earlier held by Prime Minister Imran Khan himself — amidst a major reshuffle of the federal cabinet.
Last month, Brig Shah was appointed as the federal minister for parliamentary affairs — a post that has now gone to Azam Swati in the reshuffle. Prior to his appointment as the minister for parliamentary affairs, reports were circulating that Prime Minister Khan was considering appointing Brig Shah as his national security adviser (NSA).
Brig Shah is currently a PTI member of the National Assembly from the constituency of NA-118, Nankana Sahib-II.
Shah is known to have experience of tackling the threat posed by militant organisations.
Brig Ijaz Shah's appointment to the key position of Interior Minister is likely to stir political controversy. Brig Shah remained a trusted aide of former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf and served as director general of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) from 2004 to 2008. He was accused of using the IB for political victimisation.
Former prime minister and PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto had named him in a letter as someone who should be investigated if she was assassinated. She suspected him to be conspiring to eliminate her.
PPP leader Palwasha Khan, talking to reporters earlier this month, said that Brig Shah was the one who worked for Gen Musharraf and “had links with Al Qaeda and Taliban”. Ms Bhutto, she recalled, had “nominated him as her possible assassin”.
As the home secretary of Punjab, Brig Shah was accused of midwifing the formation of the PML-Q and PPP-Patriots.
Omar Saeed Sheikh, who masterminded the kidnapping of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, had surrendered through Brig Shah.
Gen Musharraf had named Brig Shah as high commissioner to Australia, but Canberra refused to accept his nomination, forcing the government to withdraw it.
Comments (31) Closed
Another change of portifolo and let's hope new changes will bring more tangible results in the near!
it appears pakistan is moving backward.....more like the 80s........in which the government is rebuilding the ideology of the past, has an inclination to the right, has links to and shows supports to hardliners.
@K Maliks,
The ideology is of PMIK. That's what matters, coming from the top.
Controversial appointment.
Fully support PMIK. His sincerity is above board. And that is what matters the most.
step by step imran khan is nearing to full fledged musharaf cabinet....
@K Maliks, He is good and well qualified for this position, has already served as Interior Minister in Punjab, and also much experienced person on administration, with army background, hope he will be the best. As we all know, that Imran Khan is NOT looking Yes Men, he wants the work and hard work, done very well.
It is amazing what PTI fans will put up with and mouth favorable sentiments towards IK despite the obvious.
@brr,
The obvious is when modi lies get exposed. Sushma Ji has just confirmed today, “no Pakistani soldier or citizen died at Balakot”.
"As the home secretary of Punjab, Brig Shah was accused of midwifing the formation of the PML-Q and PPP-Patriots."
Yes, add some more AGENTS in government, after all thats what Imran Khan is about, to building an POWER STATE by telling sweet lies about welfare state.
Mr. Azam Swati?
Has he ability and capability?
Wasn't that a good time for Pakistan??
Nation is not ready to loose another EX Prime Minister.
One step ahead and 100 steps back.
If the sharifs and the zardaris appose him that means he is a good choice for Pakistan, InshaAllah. Good job PM IK.
One comment to sum up this new appointment, pathetic. People have already started a petition against him for basic human rights violation during his time at various agencies. Totally unfit for Interior Minister.
Reading aboutbhus background he seems like a very poor choice. Hope I am proven wrong.
As reported, man full of controversies and question marks, definitely has dirty past. Slowly the control is complete.
Prime Minister Imran Khan should appoint PTI Pioneer Leader and Stalwart Brig (R) Samson Sharaff a brilliant Military Strategist as National Security Advisor.
People who complained earlier against the choice of ministers in IK's cabinet will keep doing the same thing after the reshuffle because they want things to improve in no time considering all the bad things that had been happening earlier for decades. Good sense must prevail. Let the governments try and then have your say by not bringing them in power if they fail miserably.
Surly will ruffle lots of feathers all around and hard to justify his appointment internationally because of his links,Not a wise move at all given the circumstances we are in vis-a-vis FATF.
@nadime7, Who is forcing him?
Going back to stone age
The last paragraph sums up his achievements.
This is the first time in history of Pakistan..a party leader has removed people from posts..for the betterment of country
I like the last paragraph.
Thank you, Australia.
Your decisions set the tone, the results speak for themselves, so far, Imran Khan's decisions have had no real results, its been all talk.
Whatever one may say about the changes in cabinet, one thing is clear that the political vision of the government stands impaired. Still it has no genuine experts team to pull out Pakistan from its worst economic quagmire.
@Akber , - orders must have come from upstairs.
Khan Sb is simply trying to steady his sinking ship ....and of course his popularity
If he is good for pakistan , thats good enough, anyone who served under President Musharaf has to be good and patriotic.good choice.