Yusuf Raza Gilani
Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani (Urdu: سيد يوسف رضا گیلانى ) (born 9 June, 1952 in Multan) is the new Prime Minister-designate of Pakistan. He was nominated by Pakistan Peoples Party, with the support of coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim League (N), Awami National Party, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam on 22 March, 2008.[1] He will likely take the oath from President Pervez Musharraf on 24 March, 2008.[2]
Yousaf Gillani is also the present vice chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, a former Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan (1993-1996) and former Federal minister (1985-1988). Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has publicly vowed to restore the judges of the superior courts by the 16th of April 2008 the key demand of PML-N.[citation needed]
Family and education
Yousuf Raza born on June 9, 1952 in an influential family of Multan. His father was descendant of Syed Musa Pak, a leading spiritual figure of Multan who had hailed from Iranian province of Gilan. One of Gillani's aunts (sister of his mother) is the wife of Pir Pagara.
Gillani graduated in 1970 and got MA in Journalism from University of the Punjab in 1976. After that he went to England for his master degree.
Political career
Yousuf Raza Gillani began his political journey from the platform of Pakistan Muslim League during General Zia-ul-Haq's martial law in 1978. He joined the Muslim League's Central Working Committee. He was also a cabinet member in the three-year government of Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo. He served as Minister of Housing and Works from April 1985 to January 1986 and Railways Minister from January 1986 to December 1986.
After a short stint with the Muslim League, Gillani become part of the Pakistan Peoples Party in 1988 and has since remained PPP's loyal and steadfast supporter.
Gillani hails from the city of Multan, main city of southern Punjab, and his family has a strong hold in Pakistan politics for decades. He has been elected various times as MNA from Multan. In the 2008 elections he beat PML-Q leader Sikandar Hayat Bosan. Gillani has been nominated the candidate for the post of next Prime Minister of the country by the coalition of the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz . Yousaf Raza has publicly supported former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Stance on the restoration of Judges by the 16th of April 2008.
Jail
Gillani was arrested in February 2001 over charges of misuse of authority. Gillani spent nearly six years in prison.[3] His imprisonment was widely condemned by various people across the country including Syed Mushahid Hussain who is a senior leader of the PML-Q. He wrote a book while in prison and the book was well received across the country. He has been nominated as prime Minister of Pakistan by the PPP on 22/03/2008.
Premiership
On Saturday, March 22, 2008 Pakistan Peoples Party nominate Yousuf Raza Gillani as the new prime minister of the country.According to Geo News, PPP has completed consultations with coalition partners about the prime minister and the allies have endorsed the nomination.The formal announcement of the name of prime minister is expected tonight.
On Saturday March 22, 2008 at 9:38 pm Islamabad, (1638 GMT), he was officially announced by PPP as the candidate for the premiership of the country.
The Pakistan People's Party nominated ex-Speaker Yusuf Raza Gillani for the post to lead a coalition government with ex-PM Nawaz Sharif's PML(N) party.
See also
References
- ^ PPP names choice for Pakistani PM BBC News, March 22, 2008
- ^ Raja Asghar. 'Candidates on tenterhooks as NA convened to elect PM' Dawn Newspaper, March 21, 2008
- ^ 'Gillani convicted to 5-year RI' Dawn Newspaper, June 8, 2002
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