Muhammad Zubair Umar is a Pakistani politician who served as Sindh’s 32nd Governor from February 2017 to August 2018. From 2013 to 2017, he served as the Chairman of Pakistan’s Privatisation Commission with the rank of State Minister. He is the primary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N). He is currently the Chief Spokesperson for Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Safdar.
Early Life and Education
Zubair Umar has been a resident in Karachi since 1971 and is a member of the Muhajir group. Asad Umar, a key leader of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, is Zubair’s elder brother.
In 1981, Zubair earned a Master’s degree in business administration from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA). He joined the IBA Board of Directors in 1980 and taught Financial Management from 1981 to 1986. From 1981 until his resignation in 2007, he worked for IBM after getting his MBA.
Major General (retd) Ghulam Umar, Zubair Umar’s father, was an army officer who was considered a close aide and served as the first Advisor of President Yahya Khan’s government’s National Security Council (NSC).
Career
Pre-Political Ventures
Before stepping into the political arena, Zubair Umer ventured into hosting TV shows, showcasing a diverse skill set and an ability to engage audiences through the media. This stint served as a precursor to his eventual foray into the realm of politics.
Entry into PML-N
Zubair’s journey within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) began in 2012, marking his initiation into the party. His affiliation led to his involvement in pivotal committees focused on economic strategies and tax reforms. This early association laid the groundwork for his subsequent roles and responsibilities within the party’s framework.
Chairmanship
His strong skills and expertise in administration became clear when he took on the role of Chairman of the Pakistan Board of Investment from July 12, 2013, to December 17, 2013. After that, he moved up to become the Chairman of the Privatisation Commission of Pakistan until February 2017. These roles highlighted his ability to oversee crucial economic matters and have a significant influence on important national economic policies.
Governorship and Resignation
Zubair took on a big role as the 32nd Governor of Sindh in January 2017. He started officially in February 2017. But after the 2018 general election in Pakistan, he stepped down from being Sindh’s Governor on July 28, 2018. His resignation was accepted on August 3, 2018, ending his time in that important position.