An eye for detail: K-P’s most competent lawmaker falls to terrorism

The young leader had earned a name for himself on the assembly floor with his insight into the details of legislation.

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa lost its most competent lawmaker on Wednesday when a suicide bomber assassinated Law Minister Israrullah Gandapur at his hujra.

The young leader, who had been consecutively elected to three provincial assemblies since his foray into politics in 2003, had earned a name for himself on the assembly floor with his insight into the details of legislation.

Perhaps this was the reason the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government gave Israrullah the portfolio of minister for law, justice, human rights and parliamentary affairs after he was elected as an independent candidate in the May 11 general elections.

He proved his mettle on the assembly floor and soon emerged as the government’s backbone in the assembly. Whether it was responding to the opposition’s questions, defending the government’s decisions or explaining various laws, Israrullah was the most vocal lawmaker.

Incidentally, opposition members took to mocking the treasury benches whenever Israrullah stood up to address the house, saying the law minister seemed to be carrying too heavy a burden on his shoulders as he had to represent the entire government.

Political roots

The late minister hailed from the influential Gandapur family of Kulachi, DI Khan and held a masters degree in political science. His father, Sardar Inayatullah Khan Gandapur, served as the chief minister of the erstwhile North West Frontier Province (NWFP) from 1973-1975.

DI Khan’s politics is dominated by a handful of prominent clans, chiefly the Maulanas, Kundis, Miankhels and Gandapurs. Israrullah’s own political trajectory reflects his family’s clout as he was elected to the provincial assembly thrice in a row even when he stood against incredibly popular alliances and parties such as Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and then PTI in 2013.

His father, Inayatullah Khan Gandapur, had retained the DI Khan provincial assembly seat previously.

Israrullah was the youngest son of the family and took over its political fortune after his father’s death in 2005. However, he made his electoral debut in 2003 when he was elected to the then NWFP assembly in PK-67, after his father vacated the seat.

Israrullah contested PK-67 on a ticket of Pakistan Peoples Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) – now Qaumi Watan Party – and defeated MMA candidate Haji Rehmatullah Khan Gandapur. He won the seat twice again: in 2008 on a PPP-S ticket and in 2013 when he chose to contest independently in an electoral alliance with the Maulanas.

A nose for finer legal matters

Israrullah’s keen understanding of legislative matters was what set him apart from other lawmakers. He was usually the one who would elaborate the government’s vision about various laws in clear and concise language for the house.

His proclivity for lawmaking can be gauged from the fact that he was the author of three private member bills which were passed into laws by the previous provincial assembly.

Israrullah is survived by a widow and son.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2013.