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For many generations, Pakistan’s influential political families have strengthened their influence across all government tiers. A look at the historical roots of these political dynasties is evident of their prominence tracing back to the colonial British rule, way before partition of the sub-continent.At present, dozens of national and provincial constituencies are witnessing a contest among multiple members from the same family facing each other in the February 8 general elections.This special feature attempts to bring forth the historical and contemporary aspects of the following key political families of Pakistan who’ve been participating in the country’s political landscape for decades.Sharifs of LahoreMuhammad Sharif, the scion of the business family that founded Ittefaq Industries, chose the anti-Bhutto camp after his business was nationalised. His son Nawaz Sharif joined Tehreek-e-Istiqlal and then became finance minister of Punjab and later chief minister enjoying favours of Ghulam Jilani Khan. He adopted the slogan of construction and development instead of ideas. PML-N leaders Maryam Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif, and Shehbaz Sharif at the stage during a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore, on October 21, 2023, in this still taken from a video. — X@pmln_orgIn the beginning, he was the only politician from the Sharif family. Later, Shehbaz Sharif entered politics and looked after the affairs of Lahore. Mian Sharif’s third son Abbas Sharif was also a member of the National Assembly. Hamza Shahbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz are also key characters in their family’s political business. Hamza made his name during the difficult period of General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.This time, Nawaz is contesting elections from Lahore and Mansehra. In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district, his son-in-law Captain (retd) Safdar is running his campaign. Meanwhile, Shehbaz Sharif is contesting elections from Lahore and Kasur, and Hamza and Maryam from Lahore. Abid Sher Ali from the Mian Shafi family is a candidate from Faisalabad and Umar Sohail Zia Butt from Lahore.Bhuttos of LarkanaAn important name in the Bhutto family of Larkana was Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto who was prime minister of Junagarh before partition. Over a decade later in Pakistan following independence, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto first became Pakistan’s foreign minister and then the prime minister, while his cousin Mumtaz Bhutto was chief minister of Sindh. Former president Asif Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto having a discussion during a National Assembly session. — APP/FileAfter differences with Field Marshal Muhammad General Ayub Khan, he founded Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Lahore. After Bhutto’s execution, his wife Nusrat Bhutto and daughter Benazir Bhutto entered politics. Nusrat remained federal minister and an MNA. Bhutto’s son Murtaza was also elected MPA, while his wife Ghanva Bhutto is currently the chairperson of Shaheed Murtaza Bhutto’s Peoples Party, but his children Fatima Bhutto and Zulfiqar Bhutto Jr. stay away from electoral politics.Bhutto’s son-in-law Asif Ali Zardari became the president of Pakistan. His two sisters Dr Azra Afzal and Faryal Talpur are also in politics. Dr Azra has also served as a provincial minister. Meanwhile, Faryal Talpur’s husband Mir Munawar Talpur was an MNA and is a candidate for National Assembly. This time, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is contesting elections from Sindh and Punjab. In these general polls, Bilawal is also a candidate for the prime minister slot.Khans of CharsaddaGhaffar Khan, who belonged to a feudal family of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, started “Khudai Khidmatgar” intending to reform the society. His political thinking was closer to the ideologies of Congress. He was against the partition of India, which is why he was imprisoned both before and after the partition. Former KP chief minister Amir Haider Hoti (L) and ANP chief Asfandyar Wali. —APP/FileHis son and famous political leader Khan Abdul Wali Khan also spent a long time in jail. Wali Khan was the opposition leader during Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s era. He was also sent to jail in the Hyderabad conspiracy case. General Zia-ul-Haq came to power and released the prisoners of the conspiracy case.Wali Khan’s son Asfandyar Wali was the head of Awami National Party and also a member of the National Assembly. While, Wali Khan’s wife Naseem Wali Khan also participated in electoral politics. Her nephew Amir Haider Hoti is the former chief minister of KP and had won during the last elections.Family of Mufti MehmoodThe tribe of Maulana Mufti Mehmood, the father of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, was from Afghanistan. Mufti Mehmood belonged to the Dera Ismail Khan district in KP. Maulan Fazlur Rehman. — APP/FileDuring the 70s, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto won elections from many constituencies across Pakistan, but Mufti Mehmood defeated him from his own constituency. He was KP’s chief minister. During General Zia’s era, he and his party, the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD), remained with the PPP in the alliance.After his death, his son Maulana Fazlur Rehman increased his organisational and political influence. His party remained a government ally many times in the centre and in the province. His relative Haji Ghulam Ali is governor of KP, while his brother Maulana Attaur Rehman is a senator and a brother is a bureaucrat.Maulana Fazl is a candidate for NA from Dera Ismail and Pashin. Meanwhile, Mahmood Khan Achakzai has withdrawn from this constituency in his favour. His two brothers, Maulana Lutfur Rehman and Maulana Ubaid Rehman, are contesting elections, while his two sons Maulana Asjad and Maulana Asad are also candidates from constituencies in districts Lakki Marwat and Tank.Khattars of AttockHayat Khattar supported General Nicholson in the 1857 War of Independence and attacked Delhi, after which the British Crown included him among its loyalists.Sardar Sikandar Hayat, prime minister of United Punjab, also belonged to this family. His son Sardar Shaukat Hayat was given the title of “Shaukat Punjab” in politics. He also remained with Mumtaz Doultana. His son Sardar Sikandar Hayat was MPA and a PPP minister. Sardar Sadiq Khattar from another branch of Khattar family is also an significant name.He and his begum were members of the provincial assembly. His son Major Tahir Sadiq entered politics and is related to the Chaudhry family of Gujrat, but is independent in his political decisions. This time, Major Tahir Sadiq is also contesting from NA-49 and her daughter-in-law Iman Tahir is contesting from NA-50.Mengals of WadhBaloch leader and head of Balochistan National Party (BNP) Sardar Attaullah Mengal was an important leader of Balochistan. He was an MNA during the General Ayub era. He remained chief minister of Balochistan, but his government was suspended. Sardar Akhtar Mengal. — APP/FileAttaullah Mengal also participated in rebel politics. His father Sardar Rasool Bakhsh Mengal was a tribal chief. Attaullah Mengal’s son Sardar Akhtar Mengal was a provincial minister.Akhtar was successful in becoming a member of the National Assembly in the last elections. Earlier, his nomination papers were rejected, but he was later allowed to contest the elections.Maliks of ShamsabadNawab Malik Amin of Shamsabad belonged to Malik Awan community, and even today the family possess considerable influence in the surrounding communities. Although he was not given a ticket by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the last elections, he was made an adviser to former prime minister Imran Khan.Malik Amin Aslam’s sister is the wife of Nawab of Bahawalpur. His family is also related to Sardar Akhtar Mengal. Malik Aslam was married to the daughter of Chaudhry Ahmad Saeed, who was the brother of Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, head of the Service Industry.Malik Amin Aslam’s political rival is Sheikh Aftab, who is contesting elections as an independent candidate after leaving PTI.Bugtis of Dera BugtiNawab Akbar Bugti, the son of Nawab Mehrab Khan Bugti, the ancestor of Bugti tribe of Balochistan, studied at the Aitchison College in Lahore. He became the head of the tribe in his youth. Former federal minister Shahzain Bugti. —PPI/FileAkbar Bugti was also the governor and chief minister of Balochistan. He formed a political party and participated in politics from its platform. In his later life, he was embroiled in a conflict with the state that turned into a war-like situation. It should be noted that the Bugti and Marri families are closely related.Akbar Bugti’s son Brahumdagh Bugti lives in self-imposed exile, while his grandson Shahzain Bugti has been a member of National Assembly and federal minister. Shahzain is contesting from NA-253 against his rival Sarfaraz Bugti, who is a candidate for a NA seat on PPP’s ticket.Chaudhrys of GujaratAfter the creation of Pakistan, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi started politics by joining the Convention League and remained close to General Ayub Khan, but withdrew from the convention league due to differences… Maqvi News #Maqvi #Maqvinews #Maqvi_news #Maqvi#News #info@maqvi.com
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