Shahzada Mohiuddin (Urdu: شہزادہ محی الدین; 5 August 1938 – 27 April 2022) was a Pakistani politician, a Federal[1] and Provincial Minister,[2][3] and Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan.[4][5][6][7] He served as Minister of State for Tourism[8][9][10][11] and Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas.[12][13] He was the grandson of Sir Shuja ul-Mulk. His eldest son Shahzada Iftikhar Uddin was elected as the MNA from Chitral in 2013.[14]

Shahzada Mohiuddin
شہزادہ محی الدین
Shahzada Mohiuddin during TV Programme
Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas
Member National Assembly Pakistan
In office
2008–2013
PresidentAsif Ali Zardari
Prime MinisterRaja Pervez Ashraf
Yousaf Raza Gillani
District Nazim Chitral
In office
2001–2005
Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances
Member National Assembly Pakistan
In office
1997–1999
PresidentRafiq Tarar
Farooq Leghari
Prime MinisterMian Nawaz Sharif
Minister of State for Tourism
Member National Assembly Pakistan
In office
1990–1993
PresidentGhulam Ishaq Khan
Prime MinisterMian Nawaz Sharif
Minister of Excise & Taxation
In office
1990–1990
GovernorAmir Gulistan Janjua
Chairman District Council Chitral
In office
1987–1991
Parliamentary Secretary Communications
Member National Assembly Pakistan
In office
1985–1988
PresidentZia-ul-Haq
Prime MinisterMuhammad Khan Junejo
Chairman District Council Chitral
In office
1983–1987
Personal details
Born
Shahzada Mohiuddin

(1938-08-05)5 August 1938
Chitral, Chitral,
Died27 April 2022(2022-04-27) (aged 83)
Islamabad, Pakistan
Resting placeLower Chitral
CitizenshipPakistani
NationalityPakistani
ChildrenShahzada Iftikhar Uddin
Shahzada Khalid Pervaiz Shahzada Sohail Uddin
ResidenceLower Chitral
Alma materPeshawar University
OccupationBusinessman | Politician
CabinetNawaz Sharif Government

Background

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Shahzada Mohiuddin was born into the ruling family of Chitral[15][16] on 5 August 1938.[17] He is the grandson of Sir Shuja ul-Mulk, the Mehtar of Chitral.[18] His family's reign extended from 1571 to 1969, when the Princely State of Chitral was incorporated completely into Pakistan.[19] He completed his Master of Economics from the University of Peshawar in 1963.[20] During his time at University, he was the Captain of East and West Pakistan combined Universities football team. He is the nephew of former Senator Burhan-ud-Din and the father-in-law of Shahzada Masood ul-Mulk.[21]

Political career

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Shahzada Mohiuddin entered politics on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) platform in 1972.[22] He was elected Chairman District Council Chitral in 1983 and once again in 1987.[23][24][25] Following the 1985 general elections he became a Member of the Parliament,[26] and additionally served as Parliamentary Secretary for Communications till the dissolution of the Assembly.[27] He lost his seat to Nusrat Bhutto[28] in the 1988 general elections[29][30] but won the National Assembly elections again in 1990.[31][32] Leading up to the 1990 elections he was appointed Minister for Excise and Taxation in the interim provincial government of NWFP. Following it he was appointed Minister of State for Tourism (1990–1993) in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's cabinet.[33][34] He was again elected as MNA in the general elections of 1997[35] and served as Chairman National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Government Assurances (1997–1999).[36] Shahzada Mohiuddin was elected as District Nazim[37] of Chitral in the local body elections of 2001.[38] He became a Member of the Parliament for the fourth time in 2008[39][40][41][42] and was appointed Chairman National Assembly's Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan.[43][44][45][46] In that capacity he was a proponent of peace and the idea that both countries should promote trade and other means of people-to-people contacts across the Line of Control to pave way for resolving the Kashmir issue.[47]

One of the greatest landmarks in Shahzada Mohiuddin's political career is his work on restarting the Lowari Tunnel Project which has opened avenues of progress and prosperity for the remote district.[48][49][50] Due to its geographical situation, Chitral would remain totally cut off from the rest of the country for up to five months every winter due to heavy snowfall [51] on the 10,200-feet-high Lowari Pass; one of the only two land routes connecting the district to other parts of the country.[52][53][54][55] Thousands of people had lost their lives while trying to cross over the Lowari pass.[56] General Pervez Musharraf had sanctioned funds while in power for the Lowari Tunnel project for providing an all-weather road linking Chitral with the rest of Pakistan.[57][58] In acknowledgement Shahzada Mohiuddin vacated his parliamentary seat in favour of the Former President.[59][60]

Shahzada Mohiuddin was particular in pursuing infrastructure projects for his constituency.[61][62][63][64] He was an outspoken critic of the PIA management for frequent cancellation of flights on the Peshawar-Chitral route on technical grounds.[65] He mentioned on record that his constituency was remote and poor, consequently he often supported sitting governments just for securing development project and funds for his constituency.[66]

Retirement from political life

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Shahzada Mohiuddin retired from active political life after completing his term in 2013.[67] He had dominated politics in the district for well over a quarter of a century.[68][69] His son Shahzada Iftikhar Uddin contested the general elections in 2013 and won the National Assembly seat in Chitral.[70][71][72] Shahzada Mohiuddin died on April 27, 2022, at the age of 83.[73]

References

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  1. ^ Diplomat. Mirza Hashim Baig. 1 January 1994. p. 109.
  2. ^ JPRS Report: Near East & South Asia. Foreign Broadcast Information Service. 1 January 1991. p. 54.
  3. ^ "Rs100 million additional grant approved for Chitral uplift: Muqam". AAJ News. 1 February 2007.
  4. ^ "PESCO failure". The Nation. 7 July 2009.
  5. ^ "By-Elections". Pakistan Observer. 10 August 2011.
  6. ^ Summary of World Broadcasts: Asia, Pacific. British Broadcasting Corporation. 1 January 1998.
  7. ^ A Midsummer Night's Dream: Shakespeare's Syzygy of Meaning. Dorrance Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 9781434974556.
  8. ^ Pakistan Year Book. East & West Publishing Company. 1 January 1992. p. 159.
  9. ^ "Pakistan's tourism profile at World Tourism Fair".
  10. ^ Economic Review. Economic & Industrial Publications. 1 January 1992. p. 49.
  11. ^ Nahost Jahrbuch 1992: Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft in Nordafrika und dem Nahen und Mittleren Osten (in German). Springer-Verlag. 9 March 2013. p. 135. ISBN 9783322960221.
  12. ^ "MNA elected NA Committee Chairman". Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  13. ^ "Shujaat set to 'punish' PML-Q dissidents". Pakistan Today. 18 May 2011.
  14. ^ "The vote of a mountain people". The News International. 17 May 2013.
  15. ^ "Lonesome PML-N boycott against job bill". E Pakistan News. 8 October 2010.
  16. ^ "Four journalists in the election fray in NWFP". Dawn. 21 December 2007.
  17. ^ Israr-ud-Din (1 January 2008). Proceedings of the Third International Hindu Kush Cultural Conference. Oxford University Press. pp. 15–186. ISBN 9780195798890.
  18. ^ "CHITRAL: Sons of former Ruler of Chitral pass away". DAWN. 10 February 2002.
  19. ^ "Extreme Polo".
  20. ^ Pakistan Tourism Directory. Holiday Weekly. 1992.
  21. ^ "The Katur Dynasty".
  22. ^ "Familial glory: In Chitral and Swat, what's in a name?". The Express Tribune. 24 April 2013.
  23. ^ "PML-Q MNA from Chitral joins PPP". Dawn. 27 August 2008.
  24. ^ "Note for the record" (PDF).
  25. ^ Aminullah; Bhatty, Khan Mohammad; Humayun, Muhammad (1 January 1986). Performance evaluation of District Council Chitrāl. Pakistan Academy for Rural Development. pp. 2–16.
  26. ^ Pakistan Horizon. Pakistan Institute of International Affairs. 1 January 1986. p. 194.
  27. ^ "Members of National Assembly of Pakistan 1972 to 2007".
  28. ^ "Once cleared: Musharraf plans to hold big Chitral show". The Express Tribune. 15 April 2013.
  29. ^ Pakistan Outlook. M.Z. Kiani. 1 January 1991. p. 59.
  30. ^ Economic Review. Economic & Industrial Publications. 1 January 1991. pp. 9–10.
  31. ^ "Personality main factor in Chitral". Dawn. 17 February 2008.
  32. ^ "Results of elections 1988–97".
  33. ^ "Intra-party rifts render PML-N inactive in KP". The News International. 2 February 2015.
  34. ^ Österreichisches Jahrbuch (in German). 1 January 1994. p. 458.
  35. ^ "11th National Assembly from 1997 to 1999" (PDF). National Assembly - Government of Pakistan.
  36. ^ "Chairmen of Standing Committies [sic]". National Assembly of Pakistan (1997-1999).
  37. ^ "Chitral Nazim resigns in protest". Dawn. 7 March 2004.
  38. ^ "Al Qaeda hunt leaves Chitralis stranded". Dawn. 14 January 2003.
  39. ^ "MNA elected NA Committee Chairman". Archived from the original on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  40. ^ "Musharraf ready for Chitral battle". The Friday Times.
  41. ^ "Pakistan Election Results 2008".
  42. ^ "Chitral Shandoor Maila at 12000 ft high peak begins". GEO Sports. 7 July 2008.
  43. ^ "Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Shahzada Mohiuddin". Pakistan State Times. 21 November 2011.
  44. ^ "Trade across LOC is a good tool to enhance inter-dependence that could lead towards Indo-Pak conflict resolution".
  45. ^ "Minerals in Chitral Lawmaker seeks lease permits for locals only". Labour Watch Pakistan. 22 August 2011.
  46. ^ "To be introduced in the National Assembly" (PDF).
  47. ^ "Increase trade to ease tension along Line of Controlle". The Express Tribune. 9 February 2011.
  48. ^ "The Lowari Tunnel". 21 May 2012.
  49. ^ "Shandur Mela Chitralis' right: Mohiuddin". The News International. 27 May 2008.
  50. ^ You Tube (5 January 2011), Shahzada Muhiuddin's speeches in National Assembly
  51. ^ "Heavy rains and snowfall disrupt life in north". IRIN Asia. 20 October 2004.
  52. ^ "Dwindling funds: No light at the end of Lowari Tunnel?". The Express Tribune. 13 October 2013.
  53. ^ "Fog disrupts trains, flight schedules". Daily Times. 30 November 2004.
  54. ^ "Cut in PIA flights to Chitral criticised". Dawn. 14 September 2009.
  55. ^ You Tube (4 January 2011), Shahzada Mohiuddin speaking in the National Assembly of Pakistan regarding the Lawari Tunnel.
  56. ^ "Why Pervez Musharraf is Chitral's hero". The Express Tribune. 1 September 2013.
  57. ^ "The vote of a mountain people".
  58. ^ You Tube (22 January 2011), President Musharaf and Shahzada Mohiuddin in Dubai
  59. ^ "British Pakistani helped Musharraf to contest for Chitral seat". The News International. 9 April 2013.
  60. ^ "Musharraf Is Disqualified From Pakistani Elections". The New York Times. 16 April 2013.
  61. ^ "Afghanistan gives consent to road construction to Chitral". The Frontier Post. 1 June 1999.
  62. ^ Prime Minister addresses the inauguration ceremony of Golen Gol Hydropower project in Chitral, News One
  63. ^ AbbTakk News, Chitral; Prime Minister addresses inaugural ceremony of Golen Gol Project
  64. ^ You Tube (5 January 2011), Shahzada Muhiuddin speaking on energy crisis in the country on the National Assembly floor.
  65. ^ "PIA flights' cancellation". Dawn. 17 July 2012.
  66. ^ "9/11: Was US complicit or incompetent, questions Prince Mohiuddin". The News Tribe. 12 May 2011.
  67. ^ "Musharraf poised to win with majority from Chitral".
  68. ^ "Chitral – Political Diary". Chitral News. 21 August 2011.
  69. ^ "Chitral contest: Musharraf's tunnel vision". The Express Tribune. 8 April 2013.
  70. ^ "Chitral valley: Despite boycott, APML wins two seats". The Express Tribune. 13 May 2013.
  71. ^ "3 new roads to herald prosperity in Chitral". The News International. 26 August 2016.
  72. ^ "NA members to visit Chitral". The Express Tribune. 20 August 2016.
  73. ^ Shah Murad Baig (28 April 2022). "Chitral's political figure Shahzada Mohiuddin passes away". Retrieved 28 April 2022.