Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, also known as Zulfi Bukhari, is a Pakistani figure involved in politics, business, and film production. He held a prominent role in Pakistan’s Federal Cabinet as the Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan, focusing on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. Additionally, he assumed the position of Chairman of the National Tourism Coordination Board in Pakistan. Zulfi Bukhari is affiliated with Pakistan’s governing party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He previously held the position of Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan as a Minister of State within the federal cabinet. However, he resigned on 17th May 2021 amidst allegations related to the Rawalpindi Ring Road scandal. Subsequent investigations revealed that these allegations were politically motivated, originating from within the PTI to create a rift between Zulfi Bukhari and PM Khan. The investigative team officially cleared him of any wrongdoing, leading to his reinstatement in party positions within the PTI.
Family Background
Zulfi Bukhari is a British-born Pakistani figure active in politics and entrepreneurship, born on December 3, 1980. His family originates from Attock, Punjab, with his father, Wajid Hussain Bukhari, having served as the environment minister in Pervez Musharraf’s cabinet. Notably, his uncle, Ejaz Hussain Bukhari, holds significance as a PTI politician in Attock.
Business Career
Zulfi Bukhari is a business magnate who owns several properties in the United Kingdom and is the founder of several enterprises, including a UK-based luxury real-estate firm founded in 2011. He also founded Hooks Gym and a design studio in London. Among these businesses is HPM Developments, which was dissolved in an insolvency proceeding in London in 2020.
Political Career
Zulfi Bukhari has been an integral part of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, closely aligned with Prime Minister Imran Khan since 2011. In 2018, Bukhari spearheaded Imran Khan’s NA-53 (Islamabad-II) campaign. Following the victory in the 2018 elections, Imran Khan formed his cabinet, appointing Bukhari as a Minister of State. His roles encompassed:
- Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development
- Chairmanship of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation
- Chairmanship of the National Tourism Coordination Board
Zulfi Bukhari serves as the ‘Advisor to the Chairman of International Media’ within the party, actively engaging and representing Overseas Pakistanis.
Film Production
He has an interest in film production. He was an executive producer on the 2018 film Cake, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.
This was the first Pakistani film to be premiered on the red carpet in London’s Leicester Square. Cake challenged Western views about Pakistani film while also stimulating the cultural economy and boldly displaying Pakistani talent to an international audience. Following critical acclaim and box office success in September 2018, Cake was designated Pakistan’s official entry for the Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.
Recognitions and Magazine Features
In May 2018, Zulfi Bukhari was recognized on The Muslim 100 Power List, which highlights the achievements and impact of influential Muslims worldwide. He was hailed as one of the Most Influential Trailblazers in Britain alongside figures like London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan.
Zulfikar holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani to grace the cover of Mayfair Times. Additionally, Asian Style Magazine, a UK-based entertainment and lifestyle publication, named him among South Asia’s top five best-dressed men in 2020.
Furthermore, in December 2020, he was featured on the cover of HELLO! Pakistan, the country’s popular fashion and lifestyle magazine.
Controversies
In a tweet on May 17, 2021, Zulfi Bukhari resigned from his position as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on OPHRD. He cited reasons for taking a high moral stance, such as his name being mentioned in a contentious report released by the Pakistani government. Because of his association with Dr. Syed Tauqir Bukhari, who was named in the report, he was accused of power abuse. He denied any link because his family is not even on speaking terms with Dr Tauqir, and he asked that his name be added to the ECL if the need arises. He also stated that he has no involvement in the alleged ring road scam.
Later, on June 18, 2021, Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan declared that his resignation had not been accepted by the Prime Minister. The allegations turned out to be politically driven and started from within the party. He was later cleared by the investigative teams and returned to his political positions, but Imran Khan’s party was thrown out of power in a no-confidence move against Imran Khan.
On 3rd September 2022, he renounced his British Nationality.