Senior minister Sirajul Haq. PHOTO: PPI
This is the second time the party has chosen an amir from the province – the first being the late Qazi Hussain Ahmed who took charge in 1987.
Haq’s official Twitter account does not say much yet; the 52-year-old has a reputation of being a simple, but restless man.
His appointment as the new chief of the party has set the town talking. Many say he is likely to shape the future course of party politics. He has taken over at a crucial time when the party and province are facing mounting challenges.
Haq is a savvy politician who has more experience in parliamentary politics as compared to the outgoing amir, Syed Munawar Hasan. During the intraparty elections, Haq beat Hasan and his deputy Liaquat Baloch for the party’s top slot. His position as party chief will help the party make a greater mark in politics in the province while his diplomatic nature can also help JI manoeuver through tricky situations.
Home ground advantage
Haq is the second JI chief to be elected from K-P after Qazi Hussain Ahmed who led the party for about 22 years after taking over from Mian Tufail Muhammad in 1987. Like Qazi, Haq has taken charge of the party at a comparatively younger age. Qazi was just 49, while Hasan was 65 when he took over in 2009.
Qazi was one of the party’s longest serving chiefs of the party and Siraj is likely to follow his trajectory, as he has yet to encounter any headstrong contenders for leadership in the near future.
What we know about Haq
Sirajul Haq was born in Samarbagh, Lower Dir in 1962. He did his undergraduate from Timergarah College and then went to University of Peshawar for a master’s degree in education.
For about three years, Haq led the provincial chapter of JI’s student wing Islami Jamiat Talaba’s (IJT). Haq also served as headmaster at a government school but left soon after joining.
In 1988, he was made chief of the IJT after he officially became a member of the party. Haq also served as JI’s provincial general secretary. He was made senior minister for finance during the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal government but resigned to become the provincial amir of the party.
In 2009, he was appointed senior vice amir of the party by Hasan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2014.
COMMENTS (14)
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@Ch. Allah Daad:
I suggest you take a dose of a medicine called "Pos-Brain" that will help you develop positive attitude toward others.
These are kind of people who are dead hoonest and hard to find in Pakistani politics, Sir i wish you good luck and success as JI chief,
Although i am PTI supporter but I am very happy that now JI will be headed by this simple, honest & qualified person. This is a positive sign for for the Party as well as for KPK. Good Luck in your future tasks as JI Chairman....
Real democratic party unlike PPP and PML(N). All they need is new approach towards parliamentary politics and some flexibility to accept the changes in society with time.
JI again proved that its the only democratic party in pakistan... all the best
Honest and simple man. Wishes him best of luck.
It's time for the left wingers and liberals of Pakistan to accept & acknowledge Siraj Ul Haq as a much moderate & level headed Jamaati (as they call it), rather than sidelining & cornering him with their stereo typical approach towards religious parties. Acceptance (for a change) may bring better results in comparison to isolation.
Goodluck Sir, Goodluck JI - JI proved once again their belief in democratic system and being the party of middle class people.
I wonder if he supports child marriage like his friends at the Council for Islamic Ideology
He is PTI minster. PTI will miss him for his contribution in KPK govt. Good luck with new position
This guy has lived and worked and experienced Pakistan than some reigning desi liberal champions who can do nothing but tweet !
Gr8 and simple man
A really simple, down to earth person.