Muhammad Shahbaz Shabbir Gill, also recognized as Shahbaz Gill, is a Pakistani academic, lecturer, and politician who previously served as the provincial spokesperson for the Government of Punjab, Pakistan. Additionally, he held the position of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) of Pakistan under Imran Khan’s administration, being a part of the cabinet from May 13 to April 3, 2022. Presently, he assumes the role of Chief of Staff for former Prime Minister Imran Khan subsequent to Khan’s dismissal from office in April 2022.
Early life
Muhammad Shahbaz Shabbir Gill, commonly known as Shahbaz Gill, was born into a Jat family in Faisalabad. His early education took place in Faisalabad before he pursued higher studies abroad. In 2008, he successfully earned a Ph.D. in Management and Leadership from the University of Malaya, showcasing his commitment to academic excellence.
His professional journey in academia began in 2004, and he became an integral part of esteemed institutions such as Quaid-i-Azam University and International Islamic University in Islamabad. Later, he made a significant move to COMSATS University in Lahore, where he continued to contribute to the field of education.
In addition to his academic roles in Pakistan, Gill expanded his horizons by working as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois. This international experience further enriched his knowledge and expertise.
The diverse educational and professional background of Shahbaz Gill underscores his dedication to learning and his substantial contributions to the academic community both in Pakistan and abroad.
Academic Career
As of 2019, Shahbaz Gill has served as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In this role, he brings his academic expertise and experience to contribute to the educational and research activities of the university’s business administration department. This position reflects his ongoing commitment to the field of business administration and his dedication to academic pursuits at an international level.
Political Career
In 2018, Shahbaz Gill was appointed as the spokesperson for the Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan, Usman Buzdar. Subsequently, in March 2019, Buzdar entrusted him with the responsibility of inspecting government institutions and offices on his behalf. However, Gill resigned from his position as spokesperson on September 13, 2019. This marked the conclusion of his role as the official spokesperson for the Chief Minister of Punjab.
Shahbaz Gill's Arrest on Sedition Charges and Allegations of Inciting Mutiny
On August 9, 2022, Shahbaz Gill was apprehended on charges of sedition, accused of attempting to incite mutiny among Pakistani army officers. The arrest unfolded dramatically as he was reportedly forcibly removed from his vehicle before being taken into custody. The charges stemmed from statements made by Gill on ARY News on August 8, where he discussed purported divisions within Pakistan’s military concerning the removal of Imran Khan from office during the no-confidence motion in April 2022.
Legal Proceedings and Release of Shahbaz Gill in 2022
During the legal proceedings in 2022, Shahbaz Gill faced various challenges, including allegations of sedition. Here is a summary of the events surrounding his arrest, detention, and subsequent release:
Arrest and Detention:
On August 9, 2022, Gill was arrested on charges of sedition, accused of attempting to incite mutiny among Pakistani army officers. During his detention, he testified in court that he had undergone a four-day hunger strike and was denied basic amenities, such as changing clothes and taking a bath. His request for judicial remand was denied, leading to a two-day physical remand granted by the police.
Sexual Assault Allegations and Legal Clarifications:
While in custody, Gill and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, claimed that he was sexually assaulted. However, in a written statement submitted to the court, Gill clarified that he had not been sexually assaulted by the police during his detention. Nevertheless, he maintained that he had been subjected to torture by investigators. Lawyers for Gill presented a medical report from doctors at Central Jail Rawalpindi, asserting that he had indeed been tortured.
Release on Bail:
On September 15, 2022, Shahbaz Gill was released from Central Jail Rawalpindi on bail, marking a significant development in the legal proceedings surrounding his arrest and detention.
List of Publications Authored or Co-Authored by Shahbaz Gill:
Articles:
1. Title: The relationship between religiosity and new product adoption.
Authors: Ur Rehman, A., & Gill, S.
Published in: Journal of Islamic Marketing, 2010, 1(1), 63-69.
2. Title: Military Spending and Economic Growth in Pakistan: New Evidence from Rolling Window Approach.
Authors: Shahbaz, M., & Gill, S.
Published in: Economic Research, 2012, 25, 144-159.
3. Title: Does Defence Spending Impede Economic Growth? Cointegration and Causality Analysis for Pakistan.
Authors: Shahbaz, M., Afza, T., & Gill, S.
Published in: Defense and Peace Economics, 2012, 24(2), 105-120.
4. Title: Linkages between Defense Spending and Income Inequality in Iran.
Authors: Shahbaz, M., Sherafatian-Jahromi, R., Malikk, M., & Gill, S.
Published in: Quality & Quantity, Springer, 2015, 50, 1317–1332.
5. Title: Does Military Spending Explode External Debt in Pakistan?
Authors: Shahbaz, M., Gill, S., & Butt, M.
Published in: Defense and Peace Economics, 2016, 718-741.
Presentations:
1. Title: Does Terrorism Impede Private Investment in Pakistan.
Authors: Shahbaz, M., Gill, S., Malik, M., & Wolters, M.
Presented at: 17th Annual Western Hemisphere Trade Conference: Western Hemisphere Meets Eastern Hemisphere: Trade, 2013.
2. Title: Do Online Learning Platforms Truly Provide Convenience and Flexibility?
Author: Gill, S.
Presented at: The Munich International Academic Conference on Education & Social Sciences, 2017.
Working Papers:
Title: Trust as a Mediator for the Effect of Organizational Justice: What do the Multifoci and Cultural Approaches.
Authors: Wang, W., & Gill, S.