Talal Chaudhry is a Pakistani politician. From June 2013 to May 2018, he was a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly. From 2013 to 2017, he was the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information Technology and Science and Technology in Nawaz Sharif’s government. From August 2017 to May 2018, he was Minister of State for the Interior in Abbasi’s cabinet.
Early Life and Education
Talal was born on August 19, 1973. His uncle, former Jaranwala town Nazim, Muhammad Akram Chaudhry, is a politician. Akram Chaudhry, an agriculturist, businessman, and social worker, has also served as President of the Pakistan Muslim League at the tehsil level and as Minister for Auqaf, Ushr, and Zakat from 1990 to 1993. Talal holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc Honours), a Bachelor of Law (LLB), and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Political Career
2008 Electoral Endeavor: Unsuccessful Campaign
In the 2008 Pakistani general election, Talal ran for the National Assembly seat from Constituency NA-77 (Faisalabad-III) under the Pakistan Muslim League (N) banner. Despite receiving 49,807 votes, he lost to Muhammad Asim Nazir. Simultaneously, he contested for Provincial Assembly seats as an independent candidate from Constituency PP-53 and PP-55 (Faisalabad-III and V).
Triumph in the 2013 Elections
In the 2013 general elections, Talal secured a seat in the National Assembly representing Constituency NA-76 (Faisalabad-II) with an impressive 101,797 votes. He defeated Malik Nawab Sher Wasseer of the Pakistan Peoples Party by a significant margin, becoming a Member of the National Assembly. During his tenure, he held roles as the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information Technology and Science and Technology.
Ministerial Role and Controversy
Following Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s ascent to Prime Minister in August 2017, Talal was appointed as Minister of State for the Interior. However, upon the dissolution of the National Assembly in May 2018, he ceased to hold this position. In March 2018, the Supreme Court indicted Talal for contempt of court, an accusation he rejected. The Court later found him guilty in August 2018, resulting in his disqualification from holding public office and contesting elections for five years. This decision, viewed by some as political victimisation, bolstered his popularity among his supporters.
Electoral Setback in 2018
In the 2018 Pakistani general election, Talal lost his seat in NA-102, securing 97,869 votes against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Malik Nawab Sher Waseer.
Legal Challenge and Continuing Influence
Despite the disqualification, Talal challenged the Supreme Court’s verdict in September 2018. The judgement against him heightened his public appeal, with many perceiving it as a testament to his loyalty to his leadership and party.