Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq
Encyclopedia
Ch Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq (born 1953) is a prominent Pakistani politician
and a businessman who served as a Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Minorities
under the Government of Prime minister
Shaukat Aziz
. A former Pakistan Army
officer, Haq joined the Pakistan Army in 1971, as second lieutnenat, but he left during his term as a Captain. Originally a Bahrain
-based banker, Ijaz entered national politics following the assassination of his father, Military President
General Zia-ul-Haq, in 1988. He rose to prominence in the Pakistan Muslim League
as a right-wing opponent of the succeeding Benazir Bhutto
's government. He was appointed Federal minister for Labour within the cabinet
of Zia's civilian successor Nawaz Sharif
as well as the senior president of the Pakistan Muslim League (N)
during its second tenure in the 1990s. He stepped down from the post following differences with Sharif, who was overthrown shortly afterwards by General Pervez Musharraf
in 1999.
Forming his own PML splinter faction, Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed
, Ijaz was elected to the Pakistan National Assembly for a record fourth time in the 2002 general election
. Initially allying himself with Musharraf's PML-Q party, he was appointed federal minister for religious affairs
. However, he gradually fell out with the government, and regularly sparked controversy. His support for nuclear
scientist
Abdul Qadeer Khan
and his criticism of the Bush administration all deviated from the government line. However, his remarks concerning the knighthood of Salman Rushdie
received international condemnation. He lost for the first time in the 2008 general election
, and resigned from the PML-Q in February 2010. His revived PML-Zia upset the Pakistan Peoples Party
in Bahawalnagar
for Member of the Provincial Assembly
in March 2010.
in business administration from the University of Punjab. He completed his degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
, in Carbondale, Illinois
. Thereafter he enjoyed a successful career as a Bahrain
-based banker from 1978 until 1988. He entered Pakistani politics after the death of his father, the President of Pakistan
, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq
, in a plane crash on August 17, 1988.
He allied himself with his late father's endorsed political party
, Pakistan Muslim League
in 1989 to form the conservative opposition to the country's succeeding ruler, Benazir Bhutto
, who was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan
shortly after General Zia's death. Initially considered to be spearheading the Benazir-opposed right-wing, Ijaz would ally himself with the more politically experienced Nawaz Sharif
, who had served as Chief Minister
in the cabinet
of General Zia.
became the Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, following the dismissal of Benazir's government by then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan
and ally Nawaz Sharif
's being elected Prime Minister. He held both posts till 1993, when Nawaz Sharif's government was also dismissed by Ghulam Ishaq. Nevertheless, Ijaz was again elected to the National Assembly in the subsequent federal elections held in 1993, in which Benazir was once again elected Prime Minister.
Ijaz returned to power in February 1997, following Benazir's government being dismissed yet again on corruption charges. Nawaz Sharif again succeeded her as Prime Minister. Ijaz-ul-Haq gradually fell out with Nawaz Sharif, however, during Sharif's second tenure. With rumours of the differences between the two men rife, Ijaz stepped down as Senior President of the ruling party. Shortly thereafter, Nawaz Sharif's government was overthrown in a military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf
in 1999.
Musharraf held federal elections in 2002, and Ijaz was elected to the National Assembly, through his newly formed political party Pakistan Muslim League (Z)
, the fourth consecutive time, with a record number of votes. His party became part of Pakistan Muslim League (Q)
in 2003. In 2004, he was made Federal Minister for Religious Affairs of Pakistan with the additional charge of Ministry of Minority Affairs.
the fourth consecutive time in 2002, to a record number of votes. His party merged with Pakistan Muslim League (Q)
in 2003. In 2004, he was made Federal Minister for Religious Affairs of Pakistan with the additional charge of Ministry of Minority Affairs. Ijaz's relationship with Musharraf's central government
immediately became strained, when he denounced the Blair administration's flawed allegations of Pakistani involvement in the 7/7 London bombings.
, the atomic scientist who is credited to be one of the founder of uranium enrichment programme for the Pakistan's nuclear development
, as a national hero, following the Musharraf government's placing Khan under house arrest
on allegations of abetting nuclear proliferation
, was met with widespread acclaim despite being against government propagation. At a press conference in May 2007, Ijaz stated that Dr. Qadeer had rendered services without parallel concerning Pakistan's nuclear program.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and a businessman who served as a Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Minorities
Ministry of Religious Affairs (Pakistan)
The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Zakat, and Ushr in Pakistan is responsible for the pilgrimage beyond Pakistan, Muslims pilgrims visits to India for Ziarat and Saudi Arabia for Umra & Hajj. It is also responsible for the welfare and safety of pilgrims and zairines...
under the Government of Prime minister
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
Shaukat Aziz
Shaukat Aziz
Shaukat Aziz is a world acclaimed Pakistani economist who was the 15th Prime Minister of Pakistan from May 20, 2004 to 15 November 2007 in a joint military government led by General Pervez Musharraf. A Citibank executive, Aziz returned to Pakistan from the United States to be became Finance...
. A former Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
officer, Haq joined the Pakistan Army in 1971, as second lieutnenat, but he left during his term as a Captain. Originally a Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
-based banker, Ijaz entered national politics following the assassination of his father, Military President
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
General Zia-ul-Haq, in 1988. He rose to prominence in the Pakistan Muslim League
Pakistan Muslim League
The Pakistan Muslim League was founded in 1962, as a successor to the previously disbanded Muslim League in Pakistan. Unlike the original PML which ended in 1958 when General Ayub Khan banned all political parties, each subsequent Muslim League was in some way propped by the military dictators of...
as a right-wing opponent of the succeeding Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto was a democratic socialist who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996....
's government. He was appointed Federal minister for Labour within the cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
of Zia's civilian successor Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani conservative politician and steel magnate who served as 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 to October 12, 1999...
as well as the senior president of the Pakistan Muslim League (N)
Pakistan Muslim League (N)
The Pakistan Muslim League is a conservative political party in Pakistan, affiliated with Western conservatism...
during its second tenure in the 1990s. He stepped down from the post following differences with Sharif, who was overthrown shortly afterwards by General Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
in 1999.
Forming his own PML splinter faction, Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed
Pakistan Muslim League (Z)
Pakistan Muslim League Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) (Urdu: (پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ض) is a right-wing political party in Pakistan formed in 2002. It is one of the factions of the original Pakistan Muslim League, named after General Muhammad...
, Ijaz was elected to the Pakistan National Assembly for a record fourth time in the 2002 general election
Pakistani general election, 2002
General elections were held in Pakistan on 10 October 2002 during the military regime of Pervez Musharraf.-Parties and candidates:More than 70 parties, contested the election, the main parties were the Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Group, Muttahida Quami Movement ,...
. Initially allying himself with Musharraf's PML-Q party, he was appointed federal minister for religious affairs
Ministry of Religious Affairs (Pakistan)
The Ministry of Religious Affairs, Zakat, and Ushr in Pakistan is responsible for the pilgrimage beyond Pakistan, Muslims pilgrims visits to India for Ziarat and Saudi Arabia for Umra & Hajj. It is also responsible for the welfare and safety of pilgrims and zairines...
. However, he gradually fell out with the government, and regularly sparked controversy. His support for nuclear
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
Abdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan , also known in Pakistan as Mohsin-e-Pakistan , D.Eng, Sc.D, HI, NI , FPAS; more widely known as Dr. A. Q...
and his criticism of the Bush administration all deviated from the government line. However, his remarks concerning the knighthood of Salman Rushdie
Knighthood of Salman Rushdie
In mid-June 2007 Salman Rushdie, British Indian novelist and author of controversial novel The Satanic Verses, was created a Knight Bachelor by HM Queen Elizabeth II. This action brought much controversy around the world in many countries with Muslim majority populations...
received international condemnation. He lost for the first time in the 2008 general election
Pakistani general election, 2008
A general election was held in Pakistan on 18 February 2008, after being postponed from 8 January 2008. The original date was intended to elect members of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the lower house of the Majlis-e-Shoora...
, and resigned from the PML-Q in February 2010. His revived PML-Zia upset the Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
in Bahawalnagar
Bahawalnagar
Bahawalnagar is the capital city of Bahawalnagar District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. As well as being district capital it also the administrative headquarters of the tehsil.-Administration:...
for Member of the Provincial Assembly
Member of the Provincial Assembly
A Member of the Provincial Assembly, or MPA, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to the legislature or legislative assembly of a subnational jurisdiction...
in March 2010.
Early life
Born in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,He belong to an arain family. Ijaz received his master's degreeMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in business administration from the University of Punjab. He completed his degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...
, in Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, in the state of Illinois, within the Southern Illinois region. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51, southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest...
. Thereafter he enjoyed a successful career as a Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
-based banker from 1978 until 1988. He entered Pakistani politics after the death of his father, the President of Pakistan
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq
Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq
General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq , was the 4th Chief Martial Law Administrator and the sixth President of Pakistan from July 1977 to his death in August 1988...
, in a plane crash on August 17, 1988.
He allied himself with his late father's endorsed political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, Pakistan Muslim League
Pakistan Muslim League
The Pakistan Muslim League was founded in 1962, as a successor to the previously disbanded Muslim League in Pakistan. Unlike the original PML which ended in 1958 when General Ayub Khan banned all political parties, each subsequent Muslim League was in some way propped by the military dictators of...
in 1989 to form the conservative opposition to the country's succeeding ruler, Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto was a democratic socialist who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996....
, who was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
shortly after General Zia's death. Initially considered to be spearheading the Benazir-opposed right-wing, Ijaz would ally himself with the more politically experienced Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani conservative politician and steel magnate who served as 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 to October 12, 1999...
, who had served as Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
in the cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
of General Zia.
1990s political career
An opposition member throughout Benazir's rule, Ijaz was elected to the National Assembly in 1990 and due to his popularity and influence amongst the pro-Zia voting blocVoting bloc
A voting bloc is a group of voters that are so motivated by a specific concern or group of concerns that it helps determine how they vote in elections. The divisions between voting blocs are known as cleavage...
became the Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, following the dismissal of Benazir's government by then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Ghulam Ishaq Khan , abbreviated as GIK, was the seventh President of Pakistan from August 17, 1988 until July 18, 1993 and a career statesman from the start to the end of cold war...
and ally Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif
Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is a Pakistani conservative politician and steel magnate who served as 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 to October 12, 1999...
's being elected Prime Minister. He held both posts till 1993, when Nawaz Sharif's government was also dismissed by Ghulam Ishaq. Nevertheless, Ijaz was again elected to the National Assembly in the subsequent federal elections held in 1993, in which Benazir was once again elected Prime Minister.
Ijaz returned to power in February 1997, following Benazir's government being dismissed yet again on corruption charges. Nawaz Sharif again succeeded her as Prime Minister. Ijaz-ul-Haq gradually fell out with Nawaz Sharif, however, during Sharif's second tenure. With rumours of the differences between the two men rife, Ijaz stepped down as Senior President of the ruling party. Shortly thereafter, Nawaz Sharif's government was overthrown in a military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
in 1999.
Musharraf held federal elections in 2002, and Ijaz was elected to the National Assembly, through his newly formed political party Pakistan Muslim League (Z)
Pakistan Muslim League (Z)
Pakistan Muslim League Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) (Urdu: (پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ض) is a right-wing political party in Pakistan formed in 2002. It is one of the factions of the original Pakistan Muslim League, named after General Muhammad...
, the fourth consecutive time, with a record number of votes. His party became part of Pakistan Muslim League (Q)
Pakistan Muslim League (Q)
The Pakistan Muslim League or officially Pakistan Muslim League is a centrist, modern political party in Pakistan. The present form of PML-Q was formed prior to 2002 general elections....
in 2003. In 2004, he was made Federal Minister for Religious Affairs of Pakistan with the additional charge of Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Tenure as Religious Affairs Minister
Ijaz was elected to the National Assembly through his newly formed political party Pakistan Muslim League (Z)Pakistan Muslim League (Z)
Pakistan Muslim League Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) Pakistan Muslim League (Zia-ul-Haq Shaheed) (Urdu: (پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ض) is a right-wing political party in Pakistan formed in 2002. It is one of the factions of the original Pakistan Muslim League, named after General Muhammad...
the fourth consecutive time in 2002, to a record number of votes. His party merged with Pakistan Muslim League (Q)
Pakistan Muslim League (Q)
The Pakistan Muslim League or officially Pakistan Muslim League is a centrist, modern political party in Pakistan. The present form of PML-Q was formed prior to 2002 general elections....
in 2003. In 2004, he was made Federal Minister for Religious Affairs of Pakistan with the additional charge of Ministry of Minority Affairs. Ijaz's relationship with Musharraf's central government
Central government
A central government also known as a national government, union government and in federal states, the federal government, is the government at the level of the nation-state. The structure of central governments varies from institution to institution...
immediately became strained, when he denounced the Blair administration's flawed allegations of Pakistani involvement in the 7/7 London bombings.
Support for A.Q. Khan
Among the more controversial ministers in recent memory, Ijaz repeatedly deviated from the government line. His regarding Dr. Abdul Qadeer KhanAbdul Qadeer Khan
Abdul Qadeer Khan , also known in Pakistan as Mohsin-e-Pakistan , D.Eng, Sc.D, HI, NI , FPAS; more widely known as Dr. A. Q...
, the atomic scientist who is credited to be one of the founder of uranium enrichment programme for the Pakistan's nuclear development
Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction
Pakistan began focusing on nuclear weapons development in January 1972 under the leadership of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who delegated the program to the Chairman of PAEC Munir Ahmad Khan...
, as a national hero, following the Musharraf government's placing Khan under house arrest
House arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
on allegations of abetting nuclear proliferation
Nuclear proliferation
Nuclear proliferation is a term now used to describe the spread of nuclear weapons, fissile material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information, to nations which are not recognized as "Nuclear Weapon States" by the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also known as the...
, was met with widespread acclaim despite being against government propagation. At a press conference in May 2007, Ijaz stated that Dr. Qadeer had rendered services without parallel concerning Pakistan's nuclear program.