Muhammad Basharat Raja

Muhammad Basharat Raja(Punjabi:محمد بشارت راجہ) is a Pakistani politician who was the Provincial Minister of Punjab for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Provincial Minister of Punjab for Baitul Maal and Social Welfare. He had been a member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab from August 2018 till January 2023. He is the son of former Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan Raja Laal of Rawalpindi.

Muhammad Basharat Raja
Muhammad Basharat Raja in 2014
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Law and Parliamentary Affairs
In office
27 August 2018 – 1 April 2022
Chief MinisterSardar Usman Buzdar
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Baitul Maal and Social Welfare
In office
19 July 2019 – 22 December 2022
Chief MinisterSardar Usman Buzdar
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Local Government and Community Development
In office
9 February 2019 – 19 July 2019
Chief MinisterSardar Usman Buzdar
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industries
In office
3 May 2011 – 16 March 2013
PresidentAsif Ali Zardari
Prime MinisterYousaf Raza Gillani
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf
MinisterChaudhry Pervaiz Elahi
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Law and Parliamentary Affairs
In office
2003–2007
Chief MinisterChaudhry Pervaiz Elahi
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Local Governments and Rural Development
In office
2003–2007
Chief MinisterChaudhry Pervaiz Elahi
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Public Prosecution
In office
2003–2007
Chief MinisterChaudhry Pervaiz Elahi
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Law and Parliamentary Affairs
In office
1997–1999
Chief MinisterShahbaz Sharif
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Information and Culture
In office
1997–1999
Chief MinisterShahbaz Sharif
Provincial Minister of Punjab for Youth Affairs
In office
1997–1999
Chief MinisterShahbaz Sharif
Member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab
In office
15 August 2018 – 14 January 2023
ConstituencyPP-14 Rawalpindi-IX
In office
2003–2007
ConstituencyPP-110 (Gujrat-III)
In office
1996–1999
ConstituencyPP-4 (Rawalpindi-IV)
In office
1993–1996
ConstituencyPP-4 (Rawalpindi- IV)
In office
1990–1993
ConstituencyPP-4 (Rawalpindi- IV)
Member District Council Rawalpindi
In office
1987–1990
ConstituencyRawalpindi
Chairman District Council Rawalpindi
In office
1979–1987
ConstituencyRawalpindi
Personal details
Born (1948-10-09) October 9, 1948
NationalityPakistani
Political partyPakistan Peoples Party(1970-1988)

Islami Jamhoori Ittehad(1988-1990)

Pakistan Muslim League (N)(1990-1999)

Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (2002-2018)

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (2018- )

He was first elected as Chairman District Council Rawalpindi in 1979. Previously, he was a member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab from 1990 to 1999 and again from 2003 to 2007. He served as Provincial Minister of Punjab for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, and Minister for Information, Culture and Youth Affairs between 1997 and 1999 and served as Provincial Minister of Punjab for Local Government and Community Development, and minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Public Prosecution between 2003 and 2007. On 21 November 2020, he was appointed Provincial Minister of Punjab for Cooperatives. He was also the Provincial Minister of Public Prosecution and Cooperatives in the cabinet of Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi from 7 August 2022 to 22 December 2022.

Early and personal life

He was born on 11th August 1948 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.[1] He belongs to powerful Dhami janjua Rajput tribe of Pothohar region. His tribe Dhamial Rajgan shares blood relations with other powerful Rajgans of Chakra, Ranial, Bijnial, Chak Jalal-uddin and other prominent dominating families of Rawalpindi. His tribe spreads over many villages of Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jehlum areas. He is the son of former mpa Raja Laal khan. His uncle won the district elections before independence 1947. He received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1976 from University of the Punjab.[1] He resides at Dhamial House Rawalpindi. A Public secretariat is also present beside his personal residence. He is the first cousin of former Tehsil Nazim Rawalpindi Hamid Nawaz Raja. His brother Raja Nasir is also a senior politician and served as special advisor to Chief Minister of Punjab.

Marriage controversy

In 2017, Seemal Raja, former Member of Punjab Assembly sent a defamation notice of Rs 2 billion to Raja and claimed that Raja had married with her in August 2014 but refused to publicly accept the marriage[2] which damaged her reputation. She also accused Raja and his family of seizing her assets, including jewelry, cash and a vehicle.[3] In July 2018, she claimed that Raja tortured her and expelled her out his house.[4]

He was also married with a woman political activist (affiliated with PML-Q)from Balochistan named; Pari Gull Agha. Seemal Raja (his accused wife) claimed that Basharat Raja had also divirced Pari Gull Agha. Seemal's claim was denied by Basharat Raja. [5]

Political career

He began his political career with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in 1970s and then joined Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).[6]

He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) from Constituency PP-4 (Rawalpindi-IV) in 1990 Pakistani general election. He received 45,389 votes and defeated Zakir Hussain Shah.[7]

He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PML-N from Constituency PP-4 (Rawalpindi-IV) in 1993 Pakistani general election. He received 47,811 votes and defeated Zakir Hussain Shah.[7]

He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PML-N from Constituency PP-4 (Rawalpindi-IV) in 1997 Pakistani general election. He received 46,253 votes and defeated Zamarud Khan.[7] During his tenure as member of the Punjab Assembly, he served in the provincial Punjab cabinet of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif as Provincial Minister of Punjab for Law and Parliamentary Affairs with the additional ministerial portfolio of Information, Culture and Youth Affairs.[8]

He quit PML-N following 1999 Pakistani coup d'état and joined Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q).[6] Large number of his tribesman parted ways with him after this decision and decided to remain loyal with Mian Nawaz Sharif, joined Ch Nisar Ali Khan.

He ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PML-Q from Constituency PP-6 (Rawalpindi-VI) in 2002 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful. He received 14,701 votes and lost the seat to Raja Arshad Mehmood, a candidate of PML-N.[9]

On 3 January 2003, he was inducted into the provincial Punjab cabinet of Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and appointed as adviser to the chief minister of Punjab.[10][11]

He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PML-Q from Constituency PP-110 (Gujrat-III) in by-polls held on 15 January 2003.[12][13] He received 82,057 votes and defeated Chaudhry Tariq Javed, a candidate of PPP.[9] He was accused of misusing the state machinery to win the election.[11] During his tenure as member of the Punjab Assembly, he served as Provincial Minister of Punjab for Local Government and Community Development with the additional ministerial portfolio of Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Public Prosecution.[1]

He ran for the seat of the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of PML-Q from Constituency NA-54 (Rawalpindi–V) in 2008 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful. He received 10,400 votes and lost the seat to Malik Ibrar Ahmed. In the same election, he also ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PML-Q from Constituency PP-6 (Rawalpindi-VI) but was unsuccessful He received 17,771 votes and lost the seat to Chaudhary Sarfraz Afzal.[14]

He ran for the seat of the National Assembly as a candidate of PML-Q from Constituency NA-52 (Rawalpindi-III) in 2013 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful. He received 43,866 votes and lost the seat to Nisar Ali Khan.[15]

In June 2018, because of seat adjustment with PTI he contested the election on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket.

He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of the PTI from PP-14 Rawalpindi-IX in the 2018 Punjab provincial election.[16]

On 27 August 2018, he was inducted into the provincial Punjab cabinet of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and was appointed as Provincial Minister of Punjab for law and parliamentary affairs.[17]

On 9 February 2019, he was given additional ministerial portfolio of Local Government and Community Development.[18]

On 19 July 2019 He was removed from the charge of Provincial Minister of Local Government and Community Development.

On 19 July 2019 He was given additional ministerial portfolio of Provincial Minister of Punjab for Baitul Maal and Social Welfare.

On 21 November 2020, He was given additional charge of Provincial Minister of Punjab for cooperatives.

He is running for a seat in the Provincial Assembly from PP-12 Rawalpindi-VII as a candidate of the PTI in the 2023 Punjab provincial election.[19]

References
  1. "Profile". www.pap.gov.pk. Punjab Assembly. Archived from the original on 2018-02-27. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  2. "Seemal exposes 'husband' Raja with screenshots". The Nation. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  3. "Seemal Raja sends defamation notice of Rs2bn to Basharat Raja, his family". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  4. "PML-Q ex-MPA accuses Raja Basharat of hiding his marriage". The Nation. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  5. "PML-Q ex-MPA accuses Raja Basharat of hiding his marriage". The Nation. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  6. "Basharat Raja joins PTI". DAWN.COM. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-06-30. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  7. "Punjab Assembly election results 1988-97" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-08-30. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  8. "Punjab Assembly 1997". papmis.pitb.gov.pk. Punjab Assembly. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  9. "2002 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-01-26. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  10. Hanif, Intikhab (4 January 2003). "25-member Punjab cabinet takes oath". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2017-06-10. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  11. "Notices to AG, law minister". DAWN.COM. 29 July 2003. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  12. Asghar, Raja (16 January 2003). "PML-Q, MMA leading in polls: PPP boycotts on most seats; five killed in Sindh violence". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2018-06-14. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  13. Asghar, Raja (17 January 2003). "PML-Q, MMA win majority seats". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2018-06-14. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  14. "2008 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-01-05. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  15. "2013 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-02-01. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  16. "Muhammad Basharat Raja of PTI wins PP-14 election". Associated Press Of Pakistan. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  17. Malik, Mansoor (28 August 2018). "Punjab cabinet sworn in: Only 15 out of 23 ministers given portfolios". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 2018-09-02. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  18. "PML-Q's Bao Rizwan inducted into Punjab cabinet". The Nation. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  19. "List of PTI Candidates for Provincial Elections In Punjab | 2023". Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
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