MURREE: People in the constituency of federal minister for petroleum and natural resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Murree started rejoicing after he was nominated as the interim prime minister on Saturday.

They said it was a historical moment that their MNA was going to become the chief executive of the country.

Mr Abbasi was born on December 27, 1958, in the Dewal village of Murree.

His father, the late Khaqan Abbasi, was an air commodore in Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and later became an MNA in the non-party based election of 1985.

He remained the federal minister for production in the cabinet of the then prime minister Mohammad Khan Junejo till his death in the Ojhri camp accident in 1987.

Mr Abbasi’s only brother, Zahid Abbasi, was injured in the incident and after remaining bedridden died a few years ago.

Mr Abbasi obtained his master’s degree in electrical engineering from the California University about 30 years ago. His sister Barrister Sadia Abbasi was a senator of the PML-N.

Mr Abbasi’s father-in-law, retired General Riaz Abbasi, was the director general of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) from 1977 to 1979.

He was elected to the National Assembly as an independent candidate in 1988 after his father’s death.

After winning the election, Mr Abbasi joined the PML-N.

He won the seat in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2008 and 2013 and lost it only in 2002. He also remained the PIA chairman from 1997 to 1999.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...