Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, born on October 17, 1954, is a Pakistani politician who held the position of a National Assembly member from August 2018 to August 2023. His earlier tenure in the National Assembly extended from 2002 to May 2018. Sadiq notably served as the 19th Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, first from June 2013 to August 2015, and then again from November 2015 to August 2018.
In a crucial parliamentary session in April 2022, Sadiq chaired the proceedings on the day of the vote of no confidence against Imran Khan. He played a pivotal role in conducting the in-house voting for the selection of the new Prime Minister. Subsequently, on April 11th, 2022, Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the new Prime Minister, marking a significant political transition. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s contributions have been influential in the political landscape of Pakistan.
Early Life and Personal Aspects
Sadiq, born on October 17, 1954, in Lahore to Sheikh Sardar Muhammad Sadiq and Attiya Sadiq, hails from a Punjabi Muslim family of the Arain tribe with ancestral ties to Kasur and Raebareli on his maternal side. His educational journey took place at Aitchison College in Lahore, where he shared classrooms with notable figures such as Imran Khan, Nisar Ali Khan, Pervaiz Khattak, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, and Zulfiqar Ali Magsi. Despite describing himself as an average student in an interview, Sadiq graduated with a degree in commerce from Hailey College of Punjab University in 1975.
In 1977, Sadiq entered into matrimony with Reema Ayaz, and the couple is blessed with a daughter and two sons. Notably, Sadiq is the son-in-law of the former Chief Justice of Lahore High Court, Sardar Iqbal.
Professionally, Sadiq has been a member of the Lahore Gymkhana Club since 1996. Engaging in business, he, along with his family members, operates a non-profit hospital named “Sardar Trust Eye Hospital” in Lahore. This venture reflects his commitment to philanthropy and healthcare initiatives within the community.
Political Roots in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI):
Sadiq embarked on his political journey as a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the late 1990s, establishing his initial political affiliations when he shared a close friendship with PTI chairman Imran Khan.
Electoral Endeavor in 1997:
In the 1997 Pakistani general election, Sadiq took a leap into electoral politics by contesting for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. He ran as a PTI candidate in Constituency PP-121 Lahore. Despite his efforts, Sadiq was unable to secure the seat, facing competition from the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N). He garnered 4,541 votes but fell short of winning the constituency.
Transition to Pakistan Muslim League (N):
Sadiq’s association with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) underwent a shift in 1998, marked by differences with Imran Khan, prompting his departure from PTI. Subsequently, in 2001, Sadiq aligned himself with the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).
Electoral Triumphs in 2002 and 2008:
In the 2002 general election, Sadiq secured a seat in the National Assembly of Pakistan as a PML-N candidate from Constituency NA-122 (Lahore-V), defeating none other than Imran Khan. He regarded this victory as significant, emphasizing the contrast between his leader, Nawaz Sharif, in exile and Pervez Musharraf, a close associate of Imran Khan, in power at that time. During his tenure as a National Assembly member, Sadiq actively participated in various committees, including Railways, Finance, and Defence Production.
Sadiq’s political journey continued with success in the 2008 general election, where he was re-elected to the National Assembly as a PML-N candidate from the same constituency, NA-122 (Lahore-V). In this term, he assumed the role of Chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committees on Railways.
Political Triumphs and Speaker Tenure:
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq achieved victory in the 2013 Pakistani general election as the PML-N candidate for Constituency NA-122 (Lahore-V), securing a win against Imran Khan. Subsequently, in June 2013, Sadiq was elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Rigging Allegations and Re-election:
In 2015, Imran Khan raised allegations of rigging in Sadiq’s constituency, leading to his de-seating by the Election Commission of Pakistan. The commission ordered re-polling in the contested constituency. Despite this challenge, Sadiq reclaimed his National Assembly seat in the October 2015 by-election, defeating a PTI candidate. This marked his fourth term in the National Assembly, and he retained his position as the Speaker for the second time in November 2015, a unique accomplishment during the same government’s tenure.
Continued Political Journey:
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq continued his political career by securing re-election to the National Assembly in the 2018 Pakistani general election as the PML-N candidate for Constituency NA-129 (Lahore-VII). However, on August 15, 2018, Asad Qaiser replaced him as the Speaker of the National Assembly.
Perceived Political Persona:
Sadiq is widely regarded as a soft-spoken and cool-headed politician in Pakistan, known for his demeanor and temperament.
Controversial Statements and Diplomatic Tensions:
In 2020, Sadiq stirred controversy by making claims about the 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes. His statements, accusing Foreign Minister Qureshi of being “trembling with fear,” drew sharp criticism from ISPR and the Pakistani government, terming them “irresponsible.” Amid the backlash, Sadiq clarified that his statement was being misrepresented and emphasized that the downing of the attacking plane was a victory for Pakistan.
Key Role in Political Crisis:
During the political crisis in April 2022, when the speaker and deputy speaker resigned, Sadiq was entrusted with the responsibility of holding the vote on the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister of Pakistan. His involvement underscored his continued significance in the country’s political landscape.