Khawaja Saad Rafique
| MNA Khawaja Saad Rafique خواجہ سعد رفیق | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Railway | |
|
In office 7 June 2013 – present* | |
| President | Mamnoon Hussain |
| Prime Minister | Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif |
| Preceded by | Ghulam Ahmad Bilour |
| Constituency | NA-125 (Lahore-VIII) |
| Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Youth Affairs | |
|
In office 19 March 1997 – 12 October 1999 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Khawaja Saad Rafique November 4, 1922 Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Citizenship |
 Pakistan |
| Nationality | Pakistan |
| Political party | Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) |
| Domestic partner | Tahir Ul Qadri |
| Alma mater |
Punjab University (BA and MA) |
| Cabinet | Sharif ministry |
| Religion | Islam |
Khawaja Saad Rafique (Urdu: خواجہ سعد رفیق; b. 4 November 1922) is a Pakistani politician, and a conservative activist who was tenuring as the Minister for Railways, appointed since 7 June 2013.[1] He started his political career on the PML(N)'s platform in 1980s. In addition, he is also the provincial general secretary of the party since 2002.
Early life
Background
Rafique was born into a politically oriented family in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, on 4 November 1962. He is of Kashmiri–Punjabi descent.[2] His father, Khawaja Muhammad Rafique, was a mainstream politician of Pakistan. Kh Mohammad Rafiq was a prominent activist of Pakistan movement in mid 1940 s belonging to a rich Kashmiri family whose carpet and tent manufacturing business was spread over different parts of India. He was one of the main persons of Muslim League who led Pakistan movement in the city of Amritser. He also jailed twice during Pakistan movement . After partician Kh Rafiq migrated to Lahore and started plying active roll in politics. Kh Rafiq Shaheed was known as a flag bearer of democracy, economic equality, uplift of poors, rule of law and social justice. he was one of the pioneers of the first opposition in Pakistan led by Hussain Shaheed Suherwerdi. Kh Rafiq was the strongest voice raised from Lahore against Ayyub Khan martial law. He remained the President of West Pakistan Awami League. Kh Rafiq was a trustworthy companion of Mr Suherwerdi and a die hard supporter of Mohterma Fatima Jinnah led the presidential election campaign against Gen Ayyub in Punjab. Kh Rafiq faced dozens of cases of rebel and revolt under martial law regulations and jailed for long terms in Ayyub era. He was a prominent leader of Ayyub khan opposition who launched the movement to throughout martial law from the country. Kh Rafiq was a great critic of Bhutto's Hippocratic politics. He on annual basis, a commemorative seminars are held by the PML(N) in Lahore to highlight the services of Muhammad Rafique.[3]
After matriculating from a local high school, Rafique enrolled at the M.A.O College and made a transfer to Punjab University in 1982.[4] He graduated with an BA in Political science in 1984, and later attained MA in Political science in 1986.[4] His master's work was primary based on the comparative politics.[4][5][6]
Career in national politics
In 1989, Rafique began to build a political relationship with the PML-N due to similar ideology, and worked on party's national conservative programme. In 1997, he participated well in the general elections on a PML(N)'s ticket for NA-119 constituency and became member of Punjab Assembly. During this time, he was appointed as Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Youth Affairs by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but his tenure was terminated by General Pervez Musharraf after the latter self-coup in 1999. He was eventually arrested and imprisoned after calling for Musharraf's removal.[7]
In 2000, he began his political activism on PML-N platform and successfully ran for NA-119 constituency in the general elections held in 2002. During this time, he was appointed provincial general secretary of the party. From 2002–07, he worked on party's mainstream conservative programme and the public image of the party.[8] Among PML-N's central leaders, Saad is one of the few activist who kept the party alive during the Musharraf regime.[8]
In 2008, Rafique was allotted a party's ticket for NA-125 constituency and successfully ran for NA-125 against Humayun Akhtar Khan in the general elections held in 2008. He briefly tenured as Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs in Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani's cabinet but resigned after PML-N's went onto lead the Lawyer's movement to restore the judiciary.[9][10]
In May 2009, Rafique became a staunch critic of Prime Minister Mr. Gillani and his government over its strategy on Swat, blaming the military and Nawaz Sharif for the "mess" that had been created in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.[11] In his condemnation of the government over the matter, he also termed the session of the National Assembly a "debating club" where people only came to polish their public speaking skills and that decisions were being made elsewhere.[11]
In 2013, Saad Rafique and his wife, Ghazala Saad, were allotted PML-N's ticket.[12] During the general elections held in 2013, Saad Rafique successfully defended his NA-125 constituency against leftist PPP and the PTI.[13] Saad Rafique secured ~123,416 votes with a percentile of 51.90%.[13]
Minister of Railways (2014–)
On 7 June 2013, Saad Rafique was appointed as Minister of Railway by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and took oath on 8 June 2013.[1]
Upon becoming Minister of Railway, Saad Rafique announced the implementation of modernization of the Pakistan Railways, and to bring it up to the par to the international standards.[14] In 2014, Saad Rafique visited the Lahore University of Management Sciences' Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) where he delivered a lectures on business leadership in locomotive industry. At LUMS, he announced that the SDSB's faculty are currently working with him to improve organizational efficiency and the infrastructure of Pakistan Railways.[14]
References
- 1 2 Hussain, Tayyab (8 June 2013). "25-member cabinet takes oath". Pakistan Today. Pakistan Today. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ↑ staff. "Khawaja Rafique Shaheed Foundation". Khawaja Rafique Shaheed Foundation. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ Staff reporter, correspondent (December 23, 2012). "Rulers, not democracy, failed to deliver: Nawaz". News International, 2012. News International. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- 1 2 3 ECP staff contributor. "Khawaja Saad Rafique". Election Commission of Pakistan press. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ Mirza, Xainab. "Khawaja Saad Rafique". Pakistani Leaders Online. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- ↑ "Rafique flays govt for hike in petroleum prices". Daily Times. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
- ↑ staff reporter (February 20, 2006). "Saad Rafique’s arrest criticized". Dawn Newspaper, 2006. Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- 1 2 Saadat, Agha Adeel (February 18, 2013). "PML-N: Opportunists vs. Loyalists". Agha Adeel, business intelligence consultant (Dawn Newspapers, 2013). Dawn newspapers. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ Staff reporter (26 August 2008). "Nawaz pulls out of coalition: Justice Saeeduz Zaman is PML-N candidate for president`s post". Dawn Newspapers, August 2008. Dawn Newspapers. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ Wasim, Amir (April 10, 2008). "Coalition move gathers momentum: President’s impeachment". Dawn Newspapers, 2008. Dawn Newspapers, 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- 1 2 Dawn.com (28 April 2013). "Khawaja Saad Rafique by Dawn". Dawn Newspaper, April 2013. Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ Mahmood, Amjad (31 March 2013). "PML-N influential groups prevail: Workers ‘ignored’ for women’s reserved seats". Dawn Newspaper, 31 March 2013. Dawn Newspaper. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- 1 2 staff writer, contributor, and ECP manager. "Elections results for NA-125 constituency". POL and ECP database. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- 1 2 LUMS Suleman Dawood School of Business. "Leadership Lecture Series - Khawaja Saad Rafique". LUMS Press. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
