Khawaja Muhammad Asif, born on August 9, 1949, is a prominent Pakistani politician with a rich history of service. He held the position of Defence Minister of Pakistan from April 2022 to August 2023 and was a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from August 2018 to August 2023. His political journey spans several decades, as he previously served as a member of the National Assembly from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2018.
In May 2019, Asif assumed the role of Parliamentary Leader for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the National Assembly, showcasing his leadership within the party.
His ministerial roles are noteworthy, having served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Abbasi cabinet from August 2017 to April 2018. Additionally, he held dual responsibilities as the Minister for Defence and Minister for Water and Power in the third Sharif ministry from 2013 to 2017.
Asif’s political career took off in 1991 when he was elected to the Senate of Pakistan during Nawaz Sharif’s first ministry. Since 1997, he has been a consistent member of the federal cabinet, holding various significant positions. Notably, from 1997 to 1999, he served as the chairman of the Privatization Commission of Pakistan during Nawaz Sharif’s second government. In 2008, he briefly held cabinet portfolios as the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources in the Gillani ministry, with an additional role as Minister for Sports.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif’s extensive political experience and diverse ministerial roles reflect his commitment and contributions to the political landscape of Pakistan.
Early Life and Education
Khawaja Muhammad Asif was born on August 9, 1949, in Sialkot, Punjab, to Khawaja Muhammad Safdar, a prominent politician. Hailing from a Punjabi family with Kashmiri roots, his ancestors had settled in Punjab from the Kashmir Valley generations ago. Asif’s early education took place at Cadet College Hasan Abdal. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Government College University Lahore, followed by an L.L.B. degree from the University Law College, Lahore, in 1970. Later, in 1975, he achieved a Master’s in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Professionally, Asif is a banker and has worked in various banks in the United Arab Emirates, where he resided for several years. He returned to Pakistan in 1991 following his father’s demise to carry on his father’s political legacy.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif is a family man with a son and three daughters. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with an honorary doctorate degree in international relations by the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations in 2007.
Political Career
In 1991, upon his return to Pakistan following his father’s demise after residing in the United Arab Emirates for an extended period, Asif initiated his political career. During the same year, he secured a seat in the Senate of Pakistan as a Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) candidate, serving a term of three years. Subsequently, Asif furthered his political journey by winning a seat in the National Assembly of Pakistan from Constituency NA-110 (Sialkot) in the 1993 general election.
His political trajectory continued with reelection to the National Assembly in the 1997 general election. In the 2002 general election, Asif contested from NA-110, securing victory with 42,743 votes. He once again participated in the 2008 general election from NA-110, accumulating 73,007 votes. In the 2013 Pakistani general election, Asif triumphed again, being re-elected as a member of the National Assembly from NA-110 with 92,848 votes, defeating his opponent Usman Dar, who received 71,573 votes.
Asif’s electoral success persisted in the 2018 Pakistani general election, where he secured a victory in Constituency NA-73 (Sialkot-II) as a PML-N candidate. With 116,957 votes, he surpassed his competitor Usman Dar, who received 115,464 votes. In May 2019, Asif assumed the role of Parliamentary Leader of PMLN in the National Assembly of Pakistan.
In the 1997 Government:
Appointed as the chairman of the Privatization Commission of Pakistan with ministerial status during the Second Nawaz Sharif ministry in 1997, his tenure came to an end during the counter-coup 1999 coup d’état. This event unfolded as Chief of Army Staff, Pervez Musharraf, ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in response to Sharif’s indirect hijacking of Musharraf’s plane and diverting it to land outside Pakistan.
During the 2008 Coalition Government:
He briefly assumed the role of the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, as well as the Minister of Sports in the Gillani ministry in 2008. However, his party withdrew from the Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition government shortly after. In the 2013 Third Nawaz Sharif Ministry:
In June 2013, he was appointed as the Minister of Water and Power and later given the additional portfolio of Minister of Defence in November 2013 under the Third Nawaz Sharif ministry.
Role in the Abbasi Ministry (2017):
In July 2017, Asif concluded his ministerial tenure when the federal cabinet was dissolved following the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the aftermath of the Panama Papers case decision. Subsequently, with the election of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Asif was reappointed to the federal cabinet. This marked his first appointment as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, a position that had not been distinct since May 2013, when the PML-N assumed power. Previously, the portfolio of foreign affairs had been held by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself.
Controversy and Legal Scrutiny:
Amid these political shifts, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) took Asif into custody on corruption charges in the aftermath of a military takeover. However, he was subsequently released from custody.
Dual Nationality Controversy:
In June 2012, a petition, acknowledged by the registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, raised concerns about Khawaja Muhammad Asif holding dual nationality. According to Pakistan’s constitution, this would render him ineligible to hold public office in the country. Subsequently, the Federal Investigations Agency and the Supreme Court initiated an investigation to delve into the allegations surrounding Asif’s dual nationality.
However, after thorough scrutiny, the court found Asif not guilty of the charges raised against him. Notably, the petitioner who had initially leveled the accusations eventually withdrew them, offering a formal apology. This development marked the resolution of the dual nationality controversy surrounding Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
Allegations of Rigging in the 2013 Elections:
Asif faced accusations of electoral rigging in the 2013 elections, as challenged by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The PTI alleged that Asif had received fraudulent votes. However, on November 10, 2016, the Supreme Court dismissed this petition, providing a resolution to the rigging claims.
Work Permit Controversy During 2018 Elections:
In a significant turn of events on April 26, 2018, Khawaja Muhammad Asif faced disqualification from holding public office for life by the Islamabad High Court, citing his possession of a UAE work permit. This decision led to his removal as a Member of the National Assembly by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Legal Challenge and Supreme Court Intervention:
In response to his disqualification, Asif took the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the decision. In June 2018, the Supreme Court took a pivotal stance by suspending the lifetime disqualification. The court declared the decision of the Islamabad High Court null and void, thereby allowing Khawaja Muhammad Asif to participate in elections without any impediments.