Buzdar defied criticism with Imran’s support

Former PM tasked the CM to bring backward areas of South Punjab on a par with developed cities

LAHORE:

Amid chaotic events surrounding the election of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz as the 21st Chief Minister of Punjab, the rule of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Sardar Usman Buzdar is set to end after over three years and seven months.

Buzdar was sworn in as Punjab Chief Minister on August 20, 2018, following the end of 10-year rule of PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif in the province.

He was elected as a member of the provincial assembly from Taunsa town in Dera Ghazi Khan’s tribal area.

During his rule as chief minister of the most populated province, Buzdar faced criticism from lawmakers of both ruling and opposition parties, as well as sections of the media, over his style of governance.

However, former prime minister Imran Khan extended his full support to Buzdar and tasked him to uplift underprivileged areas of South Punjab from where he belongs.

On numerous occasions, Khan brushed aside criticism of Buzdar and gave him the title of ‘Waseem Akram Plus’ for his efforts to bring backward areas of South Punjab on a par with developed cities of the province. Buzdar had started his political career in 2001 by joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

In August 2001, he was elected Tehsil Nazim of the Koh-e-Suleman tribal area.

Prior to the 2013 general elections, he joined the PML-N and ran for a seat of the Punjab Assembly but remained unsuccessful.

Before the last general elections, he joined the Janoobi Punjab Suba Mahaz, which merged with the PTI in May 2018. Usman Buzdar, son of Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Buzdar, was born in 1969. He obtained the degree of MA in political science from Bahauddin Zakariya University and LLB from Multan Law College.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2022.