Wasim Sajjad has a multidimensional personality. He is a politician and lawyer who remained Chairman of the Senate and President of Pakistan.
Biography
Wasim Sajjad was born in a law family on September 30, 1941. His father, Sajjad Ahmad, was born in Jalandhar during the rule of the British government. He became a Judge of the Supreme Court. Later, he was promoted and became Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan.
Education
Wasim started his early education at Army Burn Hall. Later, he moved to Lahore and joined Punjab University to study law. After completing his law studies, Wasim got a Rhodes Scholarship. For further studies, he went to Oxfordshire.
In Oxfordshire, he joined Wadham College Oxford to extend his law education. Wasim got his bachelor of Civil Law. He continued law studies at the same institute. In 1967, Wasim completed a graduate degree in Jurisprudence.
Practice
In 1968, he completed all the qualifications and was allowed to start practice in the bar. Wasim came back to Pakistan and began the practice as a lawyer. In 1967, he also began teaching constitutional law at the Punjab Law College. He taught at Punjab Law College till 1977.
Political Career
Sajjad started his political career by joining the Muslim League. He participated in the 1985 Senate elections. He won the elections and became a member of the Senate. He remained Minister for Law and Justice from September 1986 to December 1988.
Wasim became Chairman of the Senate in 1988. He remained Chairman till December 1997. This is the longest tenure as Chairman in the history of Pakistan.
Acting President
As Chairman, he served as President of Pakistan during the general elections 1993. Again, in the elections of 1997, he served as President of Pakistan.
Leader of the House
Wasim was part of the defecting group, which became PML(Q). This group supported General Musharraf’s coup. In 2003, Wasim served as Leader of the House in the Senate of Pakistan. He served in this position till his retirement in 2008.
Leader of the Opposition
In 2010, Wasim joined as the Leader of the Opposition. He remained Leader of the Opposition till 2012. In 2012, Wasim finally said goodbye to politics and retired from it.
Chancellor NU-FAST
After he retired from politics, Wasim joined the Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) as Chairman. Later, he remained chancellor of the Nation University of Computer and Emerging Sciences.
Allegations
NAB charged Wasim Sajjad with misuse of government resources in 2002. Notably, the charge was a misuse of vehicles and phones, but the amount was in millions. The court ordered him to pay a fine. However, he has not spent any time in jail.
Educational Achievements
Wasim Sajjad was an outstanding student. He has a lot of educational achievements. He obtained first class with Honors in English from the Punjab University. He won Gold Medals in FEL and LLB from Punjab University in 1962 and 1963. Wasim again won a Gold Medal in M.A. Political Science from Punjab University. He obtained the Roll of Honour of University Law College, Lahore.
Societal Achievements
He served as President of the Oxford University Islamic Society in 1966. In 1965 and 1966, he remained President of the Oxford University Pakistan Society. From 1965 to 1967, he also served as President of the Oxford University Birkenhead Society. He remained Secretary at Wadham College Oxford (Junior Common Room). The Wadham College Oxford awarded an honorary fellowship to Wasim.
Contributions
Wasim Sajjad obtained the Rhodes scholarship successfully and remained the National Secretary to the Rhodes Trust in Pakistan. Wasim Sajjad has remained the Chairman of the Senate for the most extended period.
Conclusion
Wasim Sajjad was a brilliant student. He was exceptional throughout his education career. Besides, he was a societal man and remained President of different societies. Besides his tidy political career, he continued serving as Chairman and Chancellor even after his retirement. Indeed, he is a role model for students, for lawyers and young politicians as well.