Barrister Muhammad Raza Hayat Hiraj (Urdu: محمد رضا حیات ہراج‎; born 21 July 1965) is a Pakistani politician who is the MNA from NA-144 (Khanewal-I) for the 16th National Assembly of Pakistan and has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 2002 to May 2018.

Muhammad Raza Hayat Hiraj
محمد رضا حیات ہراج‎
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
Assumed office
29 February 2024
ConstituencyNA-144 (Khanewal-I)
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
In office
2013–2018
Succeeded bySyed Fakhar Imam
ConstituencyNA-156 (Khanewal-I)
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
In office
2008–2013
Preceded byHimself
Succeeded byHimself
ConstituencyNA-156 (Khanewal-I)
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
In office
2002–2008
Succeeded byHimself
ConstituencyNA-156 (Khanewal-I)
Minister of State for Housing and Works
In office
3 May 2011 – 19 June 2012
PresidentAsif Ali Zardari
Prime MinisterYusuf Raza Gilani
Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis
In office
25 April 2006 – 15 November 2007
PresidentPervez Musharraf
Prime MinisterShaukat Aziz
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs
In office
23 November 2002 – 24 April 2006
PresidentPervez Musharraf
Prime MinisterZafarullah Khan Jamali
Minister of State for Human Rights
In office
23 November 2002 – 26 June 2004
PresidentPervez Musharraf
Prime MinisterZafarullah Khan Jamali
Personal details
Born (1965-07-21) 21 July 1965 (age 58)
Punjab, Pakistan
Political party PMLN (2024-present)
Other political
affiliations
PTI (2018-2024)
PMLN (2013-2018)
PML-Q (2008-2013)
PPP (2002-2008)
ParentMahr Khizar Hayat Hiraj
RelativesMuhammad Akbar Hayat Hiraj (brother)
Asghar Hayat (brother)
Alma materUniversity of Leicester
OccupationPolitician

Early life and education edit

He was born on 21 July 1965 to Mahr Khizar Hayat Hiraj.[1][2][3][4]

He received his LLB degree from University of Leicester in 1992.[4]

Political career edit

2002 Election edit

He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) from Constituency NA-156 (Khanewal-I) in 2002 Pakistani general election.[5][6][7][8] He received 86,438 votes and defeated Fakhar Imam, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q).[7][9] He became part of Pervez Musharraf's cabinet[10] and served as Minister of State for Information Technology, Law, Justice, Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, and Overseas Pakistanis.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][4]

United Nations edit

On 13 October 2003, he articulated Pakistan's stance during the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly regarding equitable representation and the expansion of Security Council membership.[22][23][24] He said:

"Pakistan firmly believes that objectives of reform and expansion of the Security Council should be to promote greater democracy, and participation, and transparency, and accountability, in the work of the Security Council.[25]"

2008 Election edit

He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PML-Q from Constituency NA-156 (Khanewal-I) in 2008 Pakistani general election.[26][5][6][27][28][7][29][30] He received 71,381 votes and defeated Syed Fakhar Imam, a candidate of PPP.[31]

Bill to Disqualify MPs with Dual Nationalities edit

In April 2011, he introduced a private constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly seeking the disqualification of parliamentarians and bureaucrats holding dual nationalities or possessing assets or bank accounts outside Pakistan.[32][33][34] Article 62 and 63 elaborate on the conditions under which a person can be removed.[35][36][37][33] He remarked while presenting the bill before the House:

Those who take oath of loyalty to another country cannot safeguard the interests of Pakistan.[32]

Demand for New Province edit

In August 2011, he highlighted the disparities in resource allocation between central and South Punjab and demanded a new province.[38] He said:[38]

Punjab spends around Rs. 25,000 per year on policing, health and education for one person in its central parts while the amount is reduced to Rs. 250 to 300 when it comes to a person in South Punjab. In our area, two cusec canal water is given for one thousand acres while in Faisalabad district they give 16 cusec for the same number of acres. If our demand for a new province is not met, we (MNAs from South Punjab) will resign from the National Assembly in protest.

2013 Election edit

He was re-elected as a member of the National Assembly as an independent candidate from Constituency NA-156 (Khanewal-I) in 2013 Pakistani general election.[2][7][39][40][41] He received 79,675 votes and defeated Syed Fakhar Imam, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).[42] He was accused of rigging in the election and Syed Fakhar Imam filled rigging petition against him in the Election Commission of Pakistan.[43]

In May 2013, he joined PML-N.[5][6][44] He served as Minister of Housing and Works from 3 May 2011 to 19 June 2012.[45]

2018 Election edit

In March 2018, he quit PML-N and joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.[46][47][48] He participated as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-156 (Khanewal-I) in 2018 Pakistani general election and secured 92,039 votes but lost to Syed Fakhar Imam, who as an independent candidate secured 101,520 votes.[49][50]

2024 Election edit

In the 2024 Pakistani general election, he participated as an independent candidate from Constituency NA-144 Khanewal-I[51][52] against Syed Abid Imam, the son of Syed Fakhar Imam and Abida Hussain.[53][54][55][56] He won with 118,999 votes,[6][57] while Syed Abid Imam secured 78,269 votes.[58][59][60][61] He joined PML-N on 14 February 2024.[62][63][64] He took oath on 29 February 2024.[65][66][67][68]

References edit

  1. ^ "If elections are held on time… | Peshawar | thenews.com.pk". 5 December 2017. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "National Assembly of Pakistan". na.gov.pk. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Detail Information". 21 April 2014. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ a b c "Educational background of state ministers". DAWN.COM. 6 September 2004. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "Elections 2024: Triumphant independents with history of switching loyalties". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "Some independents have a history of switching loyalties". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d Sattar, Farooq (12 July 2018). "Triangular fight may benefit Fakhar Imam in NA-150". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  8. ^ "PPP re-emerges in southern Punjab". DAWN.COM. 12 October 2002. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  9. ^ "2002 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  10. ^ Wasim, Amir (5 December 2017). "PML-N to take disciplinary action against Jamali, Harraj". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  11. ^ Khan, Tahira S. (2006). Beyond honour : a historical materialist explanation of honour related violence. Internet Archive. Karachi ; New York : Oxford University Press. p. 304. ISBN 978-0-19-597902-2.
  12. ^ "FEDERAL CABINET UNDER THE PREMIERSHIP OF MR. SHAUKAT AZIZ, THE PRIME MINISTER FROM 28-08-2004 to 15-11-2007" (PDF). Cabinet Division.
  13. ^ "FEDERAL CABINET UNDER THE PREMIERSHIP OF MIR ZAFARULLAH KAHN JAMALI, THE PRIME MINISTER FROM 23. 11. 2002 26. 6. 2004" (PDF).
  14. ^ Europa (2006). The Europa world year book 2006 : Volume II. Countries:Kazakstan-Zimbabwe. Internet Archive. [S.l.] : Routledge. ISBN 978-1-85743-364-7.
  15. ^ Europa Publications Staff (2007). Europa World Year Book 2007. Internet Archive. Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 978-1-85743-414-9.
  16. ^ Reporter, A. (14 November 2003). "Ministers meet Jamali". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  17. ^ "FEDERAL CABINET UNDER THE PREMIERSHIP OF CHAUDHRY SHUJAT HUSSAIN, THE PRIME MINISTER FROM 30.6.2004 TO 28.8.2004" (PDF). Cabinet Division. Government of Pakistan.
  18. ^ "Parliament to complete tenure: Raza". Brecorder. 26 July 2004. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  19. ^ "Key portfolios changed in shake-up: Durrani replaces Rashid as information minister". DAWN.COM. 26 April 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  20. ^ The Europa World Year: Kazakhstan - Zimbabwe. Taylor & Francis. 2004. p. 3281. ISBN 978-1-85743-255-8.
  21. ^ "Unforgiving president: Zardari spurns ex-PPP Musharraf cronies". The Express Tribune. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  22. ^ "LE PROJET DE CONVENTION DE LUTTE CONTRE LA CORRUPTION REÇOIT L'APPUI UNANIME DES DELEGATIONS DE LA DEUXIEME COMMISSION | UN Press". press.un.org. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  23. ^ Hiraj, Muhammad Raza Hayat; Pakistan (17 October 2003). "Registro #506992". United Nations Digital Library System (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  24. ^ Hiraj, Muhammad Raza Hayat; Pakistan (13 October 2003). "Record #531420". United Nations Digital Library System. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  25. ^ Hilali, A.Z. "Pakistan's foreign policy objectives in the post September 11, 2001 era" (PDF). Institute of Strategic Studies.
  26. ^ "PML-Q's Faisal Saleh Hayat refuses to join new cabinet". The Express Tribune. 24 June 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  27. ^ "Memorial service: NA remembers Jam Yousaf". The Express Tribune. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  28. ^ Newspaper, the (2 May 2011). "Fourteen PML-Q lawmakers join federal cabinet". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Fakhr Imam seeks re-poll in NA-156". DAWN.COM. 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  30. ^ "Murder case: MNA-elect summoned on 27th". DAWN.COM. 25 February 2008. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  31. ^ "2008 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  32. ^ a b Newspaper, the (21 October 2011). "Dual standards on dual nationality". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  33. ^ a b "ECP's recommendation: dual nationality holders be barred from taking part in elections". Brecorder. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  34. ^ "New bill seeks to disqualify MPs with dual nationalities". The Express Tribune. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  35. ^ "Article 62 — A brief look at the law". The Express Tribune. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Analysis of article 62 and 63 of 1973 constitution". 1 January 2018. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  37. ^ "Distilling Eligibility and Virtue: Articles 62 and 63 of the Pakistani Constitution | SAHSOL". sahsol.lums.edu.pk. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Daily Jang: Latest News, Breaking News Pakistan, Entertainment, Sports, Urdu News, English News". jang.com.pk. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  39. ^ "N, independents rule the roost in Khanewal". The Nation. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  40. ^ "PPP, PML-Q break-up may deprive them of 24 NA seats". The Nation. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  41. ^ "SC reserves judgment in poll dispute case". DAWN.COM. 26 September 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  42. ^ "2013 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  43. ^ "Rigged polls: PML-N candidate files complaint with ECP - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 13 May 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  44. ^ Tahir, Zulqernain (17 May 2013). "Four MPs-elect join PML-N". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  45. ^ "1st CABINET UNDER THE PREMIERSHIP OF SYED YOUSAF RAZA GILLANI, THE PRIME MINISTER" (PDF).
  46. ^ "PML-N MNA Raza Hayat Hiraj joins PTI". Daily Times. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  47. ^ "PML-N MNA Raza Hayat Hiraj joins PTI - Daily Times". Daily Times. 7 March 2018. Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  48. ^ "Another 'wicket falls' as PML-N's Raza Nasrullah joins PTI". Pakistan Today. Archived from the original on 5 April 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  49. ^ "Fakhar Imam takes oath as Federal Minister". The Nation. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  50. ^ "PTI finalises 85 NA candidates of Punjab". The Nation. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  51. ^ Desk (Lahore), Web (10 February 2024). "Elections 2024: Here's list of Independent candidates who do not support Imran Khan's PTI". Pakistan Observer. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  52. ^ Web Desk (10 February 2024). "Independent candidates who do not support PTI". Aaj English TV. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  53. ^ "Three Hiraj brothers secure victory in Kabirwala election". The Nation. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  54. ^ "Syeds, Hirajs, Sarganas flex muscles in NA-144 Khanewal-I". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  55. ^ Gabol, Imran (2 February 2024). "Syed and Hiraj groups dominate Khanewal electoral scene". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  56. ^ "Voters to elect four MNAs, 8 MPAs in Khanewal today". The Nation. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  57. ^ "LIVE: Pakistan election results 2024 — Wheeling and dealing kicks off as PML-N, PPP step up efforts for coalition govt". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  58. ^ "General Elections 2024 - National Assembly". www.elections.gov.pk. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  59. ^ "NA-144.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  60. ^ "Live Updates: Live Elections 2024". DAWN.COM. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  61. ^ WEB-DESK, SAMAA. "Results of National Assembly seats: Live updates". Samaa TV.
  62. ^ "Nawaz chooses Ayaz for NA speaker". The Express Tribune. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  63. ^ "Nine newly-elected independent lawmakers join PML-N". The Express Tribune. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
  64. ^ Tahir, Zulqernain (15 February 2024). "PML-N rank & file 'let down' by Nawaz's change of heart". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  65. ^ "302 MNAs sworn in amid ruckus". The Nation. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  66. ^ "NA meets today for oath-taking of new MNAs". The Nation. 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  67. ^ Desk, Web (29 February 2024). "Newly elected MNAs take oath in NA's inaugural session". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  68. ^ "Newly elected MNAs sworn-in amid protest by PTI-backed lawmakers". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 29 February 2024.