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Fawad Chaudhry

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Fawad Chaudhry
Minister for Information and Broadcasting
In office
14 April 2021 – 10 April 2022
DeputyFarrukh Habib (State Minister)
Preceded byShibli Faraz
Succeeded byMarriyum Aurangzeb
In office
20 August 2018 – 18 April 2019
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterImran Khan
Preceded byMaryam Aurangzeb
Succeeded byFirdous Ashiq Awan as Special Assistant
Minister for Science and Technology
In office
18 April 2019 – 14 April 2021
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterImran Khan
Preceded byAzam Swati
Succeeded byShibli Faraz
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Political Affairs
In office
April 2012 – April 2013
PresidentAsif Ali Zardari
Prime MinisterYusuf Raza Gillani
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
In office
13 August 2018 – 17 January 2023
Preceded byNawabzada Raja Matloob Mehdi
ConstituencyNA-67 (Jhelum-II)
Majority10,607
Personal details
NationalityPakistani
RelativesChaudhry Mohammad Awais (grandfather)
Chaudhry Altaf Hussain (uncle)[1]
Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain (uncle)[1]
Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain (uncle)[1]
Chaudhry Farrukh Altaf (cousin)

Fawad Ahmed Hussain Chaudhry (Urdu: فواداحمد حسین چوہدری) is a Pakistani politician who served as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, in office since 14 April 2021 to 10 April 2022.[2] On 24 May 2023 announced he is taking "break" from politics.

Previously, he held the office of Federal Minister for Science and Technology from 19 April 2019 to 16 April 2021. He had been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from August 2018 till January 2023. He was a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's core committee from 4 June 2019 till 24 May 2023.

Previously, he has also served in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf as Special Assistant for information and political affairs, and Political Affairs, respectively, between April 2012 and March 2013.

Early life

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Fawad was born Ladhar, a village near Dina in the Jhelum District of Punjab, where he still resides.[3] He belongs to a politically active Punjabi Jat family of the Vains (also spelled Bains) clan, his uncle Chaudhry Altaf Hussain being appointed Governor of Punjab twice while another uncle Chaudhary Iftikhar Hussain has served as Chief Justice of Lahore High Court.[4]

He is lawyer by profession and has worked as a political analyst and an anchor for several media organizations.[5]

Political career

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Early career in different parties

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Fawad was covering candidate for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as an independent candidate from Constituency PP-25 (Jhelum-II) in 2002 Pakistani general election. As a backup candidate, He supported candidate Chaudhry Tasneem Nasir, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q) who received 38,626 votes.[6]

Fawad Joined Former President Pervez Musharraf ad his spokesperson in 2009, later he was appointed General Secy of Pervez Musharraf APML Punjab Chapter.In January 2012, he resigned as media coordinator of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).[7] In March 2012, he quit APML and joined Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).[8] In April 2012, he was inducted into the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and was appointed as special assistant to Prime Minister for information and political affairs with the status of a minister of state[9] where he continued to serve until June 2012 when[10] the federal cabinet was dissolved following the disqualification of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani.[11] In July 2012, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was elected Prime Minister[12] and Chaudhry was re-inducted into the federal cabinet. He was appointed as Special Assistant for Prime Minister on Political Affairs[13] where he served until March 2013.[14]

He ran for the seat of the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of PML-Quaid from NA-63 (Jhelum-II) in 2013 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful. He received 34,072 votes and lost the seat to Malik Iqbal Mehdi Khan. In the same election, he also ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as an backup candidate from Constituency PP-24 (Jhelum-I) but was unsuccessful. He received only 82 votes and lost the seat to Raja Muhammad Awais Khan.[15] He Joined PTI in 2016 and his role as Party spokesperson made him a star. He was main voice of PTI during Panama Case and later became most powerful voice of the Party.[citation needed]

With Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

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In June 2016, he joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).[16][17]

He ran for the seat of the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI from Constituency Constituency NA-63 (Jhelum-II) in by-election held in August 2016 but was unsuccessful. He received 74,819 votes and lost the seat to Nawabzada Raja Matloob Mehdi.[18]

In November 2016, he was appointed as the spokesperson of PTI.[19] In March 2018, he was given the additional charge of Secretary Information of PTI after the resignation of Mr. Shafqat Mahmood.[20][21][22]

In June 2018, he was allocated PTI ticket to contest the 2018 Pakistani general election from Constituency NA-67 (Jhelum-II).[23] An election tribunal rejected the nomination papers of Chaudhry after a petition was filed claiming Fawad had not paid agriculture tax.[24] The Lahore High Court allowed Chaudhry to contest the election after he filed an appeal in high court against the election tribunal's decision.[25][26]

He was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-67 (Jhelum-II) in 2018 general election. He received 93,102 votes and defeated Nawabzada Raja Matloob Mehdi, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).[27] In the same election, he was also elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PTI from Constituency PP-27 (Jhelum-III). He received 67,003 votes and defeated Nasir Mehmood, a candidate of PML-N.[28] Following his successful election, he expressed interest to become the Chief Ministers of Punjab in a TV talk show.[29][30]

On 18 August 2018, Imran Khan formally announced his federal cabinet structure and Chaudhry was named as Minister for Information and Broadcasting.[31] On 20 August 2018, he was appointed as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan.[32]

In April 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a major reshuffle of the federal cabinet and Chaudhry was removed as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting.[33] He was subsequently appointed as Federal Minister for Science and Technology.[34][35]

Resignation from the National Assembly

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On 10 April 2022, due to the removal of Imran Khan's government by vote of no confidence, he resigned from the National Assembly on the orders of Imran Khan. The newly elected Speaker accepted the resignations of eleven members on 28 July 2022, one of them was Fawad Chaudhry. After the 09/05 vandalism of Army installations, PTI members and leadership, were arrested en-masse.

Leaving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

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On 24 May 2023, Fawad Chaudhry decided to leave the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. He publicly announced his retirement from "active politics" and parted ways with Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf, resigning from both his held positions within the party and basic party membership.[36]

Journalistic career

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He hosted Khabar Kay Pechay on Neo News. In March 2015 he took an interview of Syed Mustafa Kamal.[37]

Controversies and Criticism

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Moon sighting controversy

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In May 2019, Chaudhry launched Pakistan's first official moon-sighting website and issued five-year lunar calendar based on scientific readings of the moon’s movement in a bid to end Pakistan's moon-sighting controversy, however his move was severely criticized by the religious clerics. He is criticized for preferring far left polemic over objective dialogue with legal experts in classical universities.[38] During another controversy Fawad Chaudhry slapped Bol News anchor Mubashir Luqman.[39]

Sedition case

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On 24 January 2023, he was arrested on allegations of threatening senior members of Pakistan Election Commission and their families in order to desist from their duties according to Islamabad police.[40] An FIR (No 69/23) was registered against the PTI leader under sections 153-A, 506, 505 and 124-A of PPC on the complaint of Secretary ECP Omar Hamid Khan, saying the accused used threatening language against the commission and its members. Speaking to the media and people, the accused, Fawad Chaudhry, threatened the ECP members and their families, the FIR stated.[41] Fawad Chaudhry was released from Adiala jail on 1 February 2023 after he was granted bail on the condition that he would not repeat any such words that incite violence against a constitutional institution. The ECP and prosecution opposed Fawad’s bail and requested the court to reject it.[42]

Comments on Narendra Modi

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During the 2024 Indian general election, Chaudhary commented that “It is very important that Modi loses the elections. Every Pakistani wants him to lose,”, while extending “best wishes” to opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and Mamata Banerjee, to defeat the Narendra Modi government. His comments triggered a stir and backlash from citizens of India, as Chaudhary stated that "BJP-RSS alliance in India is stoking hatred towards Pakistan, while Pakistan has no hatred towards India".[43] In October 2020, Chaudhary also admitted the role of Pakistan in the 2019 Pulwama attack, commenting that “Humne Hindustan ko ghus ke maara (We hit India in their home). Our success in Pulwama, is a success of this nation under the leadership of Imran Khan.”[44]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "A Potohari family album ‹ The Friday Times". The Friday Times. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  2. ^ Dawn.com (15 April 2021). "Fawad Chaudhry appointed information minister a second time". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  3. ^ Asghar, Hamid (20 June 2024). "PTI leadership responsible for Imran, Bushra's sufferings, says Fawad". Dawn News. He was talking to journalists at his residence in Ladhar near Dina (...)
  4. ^ Warraich, Suhail (2 August 2018). "Choosing right man for Punjab CM real test for Imran". The News International. Archived from the original on 6 November 2024. The other big name for the CM slot is of Chaudhry Fawad Husain, a Vains Jat, though relatively young yet energetic. He is lawyer by profession but tasted politics in his teen days while living in the Governor's House Lahore where his legendary uncle Ch Altaf Hussain ruled the roost. Another uncle Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain remained a strong Chief Justice of Lahore High Court.
  5. ^ "The Prime Minister's Cabinet". Newsline. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  6. ^ "2002 election results" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Musharraf's former mediaman joins PPP | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 9 March 2012. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Ex-APML spokesman Fawad Chaudhry joins PPP". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  9. ^ Newspaper, the (30 April 2012). "Gilani appoints Fawad Chaudhry as assistant". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Federal cabinet of Prime Minister Gillani" (PDF). Cabinet division. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Federal Cabinet stands dissolved after Gilani's disqualification: PPP". Geo News. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  12. ^ "Raja Pervaiz Ashraf elected prime minister, new cabinet sworn in". DAWN.COM. 22 June 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  13. ^ "Fawad made special assistant to PM". The Nation. 15 July 2012. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Federal cabinet of Prime Minister Ashraf" (PDF). Cabinet division. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  15. ^ "2013 election results" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  16. ^ "Prominent TV anchor Fawad Chaudhry joins PTI - ARYNEWS". ARYNEWS. 8 June 2016. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Fawad Chaudhry joins PTI, will contest NA- 63 Jhelum by-polls". Daily Pakistan Global. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  18. ^ "PML-N wins NA-63, PP-232 by-elections". The News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  19. ^ "PTI appoints Fawad Chaudhry as party spokesperson | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 23 November 2016. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  20. ^ "Vocal Fawad made PTI info secretary". The Nation. 13 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  21. ^ "PTI appoints Fawad Chaudhry as information secretary". ARYNEWS. 12 February 2018. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  22. ^ "Fawad Chaudhry appointed as Secretary Information PTI - Pakistan - Dunya News". Dunya News. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  23. ^ "PTI finalises 85 NA candidates of Punjab". The Nation. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original on 4 June 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  24. ^ "PTI's Fawad Chaudhry barred from contesting polls". The News. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  25. ^ "PTI's Fawad Chaudhry allowed to contest from NA-67". Geo News. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  26. ^ "LHC overturns election tribunal decision, allows Fawad to contest polls | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 28 June 2018. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  27. ^ "ECP - Election Commission of Pakistan". www.ecp.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  28. ^ "ECP - Election Commission of Pakistan". www.ecp.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  29. ^ "Fawad Chaudhry says would be 'great honour' if Imran Khan names him CM Punjab". Geo News. 27 July 2018. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  30. ^ "PTI's Fawad Chaudhry wishes to become Punjab CM". Daily Pakistan Global. 27 July 2018. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  31. ^ "PM Imran Khan finalises names of 21-member cabinet". DAWN.COM. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  32. ^ "16 ministers from PM Imran Khan's cabinet sworn in". DAWN.COM. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  33. ^ "Fawad Chaudhry, other ministers sacked from posts: sources". www.thenews.com.pk. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  34. ^ "PM appoints Hafeez Sheikh finance adviser amid major cabinet reshuffle". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  35. ^ "PM Imran reshuffles cabinet less than one year into government". DAWN.COM. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  36. ^ Web Desk (26 May 2023). "45 Members Left in the recent wave of Departures from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)". Life In Pakistan. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  37. ^ Talky Point (14 March 2016), Khabar Kay Pechay Fawad Chaudhary Kay Saath 17 March 2016 Mustafa Kamal Expose MQM & RAW, retrieved 7 June 2019
  38. ^ "Fawad puts an end to Eid controversy". Daily Times. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  39. ^ "Fawad Chaudhry slaps TV host over Tik Tok star allegation". arabnews.pk. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  40. ^ Bilal, Dawn com | Shakeel Qarar | Rana (25 January 2023). "PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry 'arrested from his house' in Lahore for sedition". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Sedition case: Islamabad court sends Fawad Chaudhry on judicial remand". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  42. ^ "Fawad released from Adiala jail". The Express Tribune. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  43. ^ "'Pakistan wants Narendra Modi to lose Lok Sabha elections', says Fawad Chaudhry. Here's why".
  44. ^ "Pakistan Minister admits Islamabad's role in Pulwama terror attack".
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