Amir Muqam Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Politician
Amir Muqam
Native Name:امیر مقام
Office2:Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions
Term Start2:11 March 2024
President2:Asif Ali Zardari
Primeminister2:Shehbaz Sharif
Office1:Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan
Term Start1:11 March 2024
President1:Asif Ali Zardari
Primeminister1:Shehbaz Sharif
Office3:Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture
Term Start3:11 March 2024
Term End3:29 March 2024
President3:Asif Ali Zardari
Primeminister3:Shehbaz Sharif
Office4:Advisor to Prime minister on Federal departments In KPK
Term Start4:September 2013
Term End4:April 2018
President4:Mamnoon Hussain
Primeminister4:Nawaz Sharif
Term Start5:April 2022
Term End5:August 2023
President5:Arif Alvi
Primeminister5:Shehbaz Sharif
Office6:Federal Minister for Political Affairs
Term Start6:25 April 2006
Term End6:15 November 2007
President6:Pervez Musharraf
Primeminister6:Shaukat Aziz
Office7:Minister for State of Water and Power
Term Start7:2 September 2004
Term End7:24 April 2006
President7:Pervez Musharraf
Primeminister7:Shaukat Aziz
Office8:Member of National Assembly of Pakistan
Constituency8:NA-11 Shangla
Term Start8:29 February 2024
Constituency9:NA-31 Shangla
Term Start9:17 March 2008
Term End9:16 March 2013
Constituency10:NA-31 Shangla
Term Start10:16 November 2002
Term End10:15 November 2007
Birth Date:1963 7, df=y
Birth Place:Puran, West Pakistan, Pakistan
Nationality:Pakistani
Party:PMLN (2013-present)
Otherparty:PMLQ (2002-2013)
MMA (2002)
Alma Mater:University of Peshawar
Profession:Politician
Relations:Dr Ibad Khan (brother)

Amir Muqam is a Pakistani politician who serves as the Federal Minister for Kashmir affairs and Gilgit Baltistan along with States and frontier regions in Shehbaz Sharif cabinet. He is affiliated with PML(N) and serves as its Provincial President in Khyber pakhtunkhwa. He was a close aide to former military dictator Pervez Musharraf. He previously served as advisor to the prime minister on political affairs in the Third Nawaz Sharif ministry and Yousaf Raza Gillani Ministry. He is also a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan. Previously, he was a member of the National Assembly from 2002 to 2007 and again from 2008 to 2013. Muqam has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since February 29, 2024.

Subsequently, on March 11, 2024, he assumed office as a federal minister in the Shehbaz Sharif cabinet,[1] overseeing the ministries of States and Frontier Regions, along with National Heritage and Culture.

Early life

Amir Muqam was born at village Chagum Puran Tehsil in Shangla town, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, on 25 July 1963 into a Pakhtoon family.[2] After matriculating from a local high school, Muqam enrolled at the University of Engineering and Technology in Peshawar in 1983 to study engineering.[2] In 1988, Muqam graduated from UET Peshawar with BSc in Mechanical engineering.[3] His brother Ibadullah Khan is also politician in Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).[4]

Political career

In 1998, Muqam was elected as general secretary of the Cantonments Association till he remained until 2001.[3] In 2001, Muqam was elected unopposed as Nazim of Bengali Chagum Union Council after participating in local government elections.[3] Amir Muqam won 2002 Pakistani general election on the ticket of Muttahida Majlis Amal from NA-31 constituency.[5] However, after winning elections Muqam defected to PML(Q) to support Gen. Pervez Musharraf.[6] During Pervez Musharraf tenure he enjoyed close ties with him, Pervez Musharraf called him his brother and gifted him a personal Glock pistol.[7] Muqam was made Minister of State for Water and Power and Political Affairs. Muqam won the general elections from NA 38 Shangla on PML(Q) ticket. He obtained 25,960 against his opponent Safeer Khan from ANP.

Before 2013 Pakistani general election he left PML(Q) on reportedly some difference with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Muqam announced to join the PML(N) after holding a meeting with Nawaz Sharif and was appointed Senior vice President of the party. Amir Muqam contested from NA-30 (Swat-II) in 2013 Pakistani general election, however, he lost the seat from Salim Rehman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.[8] [9]

In 2018 Pakistani general election Muqam contested two national assembly and two provisional assembly seats, however, he lost all fours seats. From NA-2 (Swat-I) he got 41125 votes and stood second,[10] from NA-29 (Peshawar-III) he stood fifth and obtained just 10569 votes.[11] He also lost two provisional seats PK-2 (Swat) and PK 4 (Swat 3).[12]

Electoral history

2002

Amir Muqam contested the elections on MMA ticket however, after winning the election he defected to General Pervaiz Musharraf's PML(Q).

2008

Muqam contested 2008 Pakistani general election on PML(Q)'s ticket and won from NA-31 (Shangla). However, later he developed a difference with Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and joined PML(N).

2013

Amir Muqam Contested 2013 from NA-30 (Swat-II) however, he lost the seat from Salim Rehman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

2018

In 2018, Amir Muqam contested two provisional seats NA-29 (Peshawar-III) and NA-2 (Swat-I). He finished fourth in NA-29 (Peshawar-III) and second in NA-2 (Swat-I). He also contested two provisional seats PK-2 (Swat) and PK 4 (Swat 3) and lost both.

Controversies and Scandals

The National Accountability Bureau summoned Muqam in assets beyond his known sources cases multiple times.[13] [14] A new reference was filed against Amir Muqam in 2021.[15]

Amir Muqam's son was arrested over corruption charges in the construction of Alpari Road in KP's Shangla district by Federal Investigation Agency,[16] the project was assigned during Pakistan Muslim League (N) tenure on the recommendation of Ameer Muqam.[17]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-03-11 . 19-member federal cabinet takes oath . 2024-03-15 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Election Commission of Pakistan: Amir Muqam . Election Commission of Pakistan . 10 October 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141031143405/http://www.elections.com.pk/candidatedetails.php?id=163 . 31 October 2014 .
  3. Web site: Amir Muqam. Pakistan Leaders Online database. 10 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141015203213/http://www.pakistanileaders.com.pk/profile/Amir_Muqam. 15 October 2014. dead.
  4. News: Brother to vacate NA seat for Amir Muqam. 24 March 2017. dawn.com. 6 August 2013. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170325202201/https://www.dawn.com/news/1034508. 25 March 2017.
  5. Web site: Amir Muqam Election 2002. Election Pakistani.
  6. Web site: Amir Muqam is PML-N's best bet. The News . April 19, 2017 .
  7. Web site: Musharraf's 'brother'. 7 May 2013.
  8. News: 100 new MNAs-elect to make debut in NA today. 24 March 2017. 1 June 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306133535/http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/01-Jun-2013/100-new-mnas-elect-to-make-debut-in-na-today/amp. 6 March 2017.
  9. News: Form-15s missing in many constituencies won by PTI. 3 March 2017. www.thenews.com.pk. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170304035514/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/45522-form-15s-missing-in-many-constituencies-won-by-pti. 4 March 2017.
  10. Web site: NA 2 Swat 1, Election 2018. Geo TV.
  11. Web site: NA 29 Peshawar 3, Election 2018. Geo TV.
  12. Web site: PK2, Election 2018. Geo TV.
  13. News: NAB Summons PML-N leader Amir Muqam in assets case. Ary News. 23 Sep 2020.
  14. News: PML-N's Ameer Muqam under NAB investigation. Dawn Newspaper. 5 April 2018.
  15. News: NAB launches new probe against Amir Muqam. Dawn Newspaper. May 20, 2021.
  16. News: FIA arrests son of Ameer Muqam over corruption charges. Ary News. 14 May 2019.
  17. News: PML-N leader Amir Muqam's son arrested over 'corruption'. Dawn Newspaper. 13 May 2019.