Usman Buzdar

Sardar Usman Ahmad Khan Buzdar (Urdu: سردار عثمان احمد خان بزدار; born 1 May 1969[1]) is a Pakistani politician and previously served as Chief Minister of The Punjab from 20 August 2018 to 30 April 2022. He had been a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from August 2018 till January 2023 and servesd as parliamentary leader for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the Provincial Assembly of Punjab. Belonging from a Baloch family, he is the Tumandar of the Baloch tribe Buzdar, since April 2019. He served as Tehsil Nazim of Tehsil Tribal Area from 2001 to 2008.

Sardar
Usman Buzdar
Buzdar in 2019
17th Chief Minister of Punjab
In office
20 August 2018 – 30 April 2022
GovernorChaudhry Mohammad Sarwar
DeputyAleem Khan as Senior Minister of the Punjab
Preceded byHasan Askari Rizvi (caretaker)
Succeeded byHamza Shahbaz
Member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab
In office
15 August 2018 – 14 January 2023
ConstituencyPP-286 (Dera Ghazi Khan-II)
Tehsil Nazim of Taunsa Sharif
In office
2001–2008
Personal details
Born1 May 1969 (1969-05) (age 54)
Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan, Pakistan
Political partyPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Other political
affiliations		Pakistan Muslim League (Q) 2001–2011
Residence(s)Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

Early life and education

He was born in May 1969 in Dera Ghazi Khan to Sardar Fateh Muhammad Buzdar.[2][3] He belongs to the Buzdar clan, which is a Baloch tribe settled in southern Punjab.[4] Buzdar received his early education from Government Boys Primary School in Barthi, Punjab.[5][2] He completed his Intermediate-level education from a Government College in Multan and received a degree of bachelor of laws from the Law College, Multan where he also practiced law at consumer courts for three years during his post graduation[5] Buzdar received a master's degree in political science from Bahauddin Zakariya University.[2][5]

Political career

In 2001, he joined Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q).[5] In August 2001, he was elected Tehsil Nazim of Tribal Area(Koh e Sulieman)[6] where he served until 2008.[7]

He quit the PML-Q after 2008 general election and joined a forward bloc.[8] According to another report, he remained politically affiliated with PML-Q until 2011.[9]

He joined the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) prior to 2013 general election[10] and ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PML-N from Constituency PP-241 (Dera Ghazi Khan-II), but was unsuccessful. He received 22,875 votes and lost the seat to Khawaja Muhammad Nizam-ul-Mehmood.[11]

Along with other rebel PML-N members, he joined Janoobi Punjab Suba Mahaz prior to the 2018 general election[9] The bloc has advocated for the creation of South Punjab province. Janoobi Punjab Suba Mahaz merged with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in May 2018.[12] Buzdar joined PTI[13] and was allocated a PTI ticket to contest PP-286 (Dera Ghazi Khan-II).[14]

He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of the PTI from PP-286 (Dera Ghazi Khan-II) in the 2018 Punjab provincial election. He received 26,897 votes and defeated an independent candidate, Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan.[15]

He is running for a seat in the Provincial Assembly from PP-286 Dera Ghazi Khan-II as a candidate of the PTI in the 2023 Punjab provincial election.[16]

Chief Ministership

On 17 August 2018, Imran Khan nominated him as PTI's candidate for the office of Chief Minister of Punjab.[9] His nomination surprised many in the PTI and received criticism,[17][18] as he was a relatively lesser known figure in Pakistan's political spectrum.[19][20] According to Khan, he chose to support Buzdar because Buzdar hailed from an economically backwards area of Punjab, and was the only member of the Punjab Assembly who lacked electricity at his home.[21] Other analysts claimed the selection was because Buzdar lacked an independent power base, and was thus totally reliant on Khan to hold on to his post.[21]

On 19 August 2018, he was elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab. He received 186 votes against his opponent Hamza Shahbaz Sharif who secured 159 votes.[22] He was sworn in as Chief Minister of Punjab on 20 August 2018.[23]

Under his watch as the Chief Minister, five Inspector General of the Punjab police have been changed.[24]

Cabinet

After assuming the office as the Chief Minister of Punjab, Buzdar held consultation with Imran Khan[25] and formed a 23-member cabinet. The 23-member cabinet sworn in on 27 August 2018.[26] The second part of his cabinet, consisting of 12 provincial ministers was sworn in on 13 September 2018 increasing the size of the cabinet to 35.[27]

Buzdar was falsely criticized for incompetent management during his tenure as chief minister.[21][28]

On 28 March 2022, Buzdar offered his resignation as Chief Minister of Punjab to Prime Minister Imran Khan to ease the political crises surrounding No-confidence motion against Imran Khan[29] Buzdar had to be removed as the powerful Pakistan army wanted to install Aleem Khan as CM Punjab who was a notorious property tycoon. This cited as one potential reason for the Pakistan Army's loss of confidence in the PTI government more broadly, as the province is the main base of the Army's enlisted ranks.[30]

On 1 April 2022, his resignation was accepted by the Governor of Punjab, however he will continue to remain in office until the appointment of the new Chief Minister.[31][32]

On 30 April 2022, he left office of Chief Minister when Hamza Shahbaz took oath as newly elected chief minister.

Controversies and scandals

Following his nomination for the office of Chief Minister of Punjab in August 2018, reports had surfaced that a police case was registered against Buzdar and his father Sardar Fateh Muhammad Buzdar for their involvement in the murder of at-least six people during local bodies elections in 1998.[6] According to reports, an anti-terrorism court in Dera Ghazi Khan found Buzdar guilty[33][34][35] and convicted him in January 2000.[36] Following which, Buzdar's father paid Rs 7,500,000 as blood money to the victim's family to settle the murder case through a jirga.[37][38][13][39] On 22 August 2018, Geo News reported that it was a case of mistaken identity and that Buzdar is not the same person who was accused for the murders.[40][41] During his tenure as Nazim, he was accused of making 300 bogus appointments.[6][42] An application was filed against him in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in September 2016, however NAB failed to carry out investigation.[43] Buzdar's brother denied the accusation claiming NAB was unable to find evidences against Buzdar after which the case was closed.[6]

Personal life and net worth

In April 2019, after death of his father, he was made tumandar of the Baloch tribe of Buzdar. He is married and has 3 daughters. [44]

According to documents submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan in 2018, Buzdar declared his assets worth Rs. 25 million. He declared that he owns three tractors and two cars worth Rs 2.4 million and worth Rs 3.6 million, respectively.[45]

References
  1. "Punjab Assembly | Members - Members' Directory". www.pap.gov.pk. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  2. "Who is Usman Buzdar, Punjab's next chief minister? | Pakistan - Geo.tv". Geo News. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  3. Usman Buzdar, Sardar. "Punjab CM Usman Buzdar's father passes away". Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  4. Haider, Sikandar (19 August 2018). "Poorest Baloch tribe's chief set to rule Punjab". The Nation. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  5. "Imran dubs Usman Buzdar as Punjab CM". The News. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  6. "PTI's Punjab CM nominee paid blood money to settle murder case: sources". Geo News. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  7. "Dark horse gallops ahead of favorites | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  8. Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (18 August 2018). "PTI names politician from D.G. Khan to be Punjab CM". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  9. "Imran Khan selects Usman Buzdar as PTI's Punjab CM nominee". DAWN.COM. 17 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  10. "Usman Buzdar emerges as strong PTI candidate for Punjab CM slot". Dunya News. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  11. "2013 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  12. "PTI absorbs Junoobi Punjab Suba Mahaz after promising new province in south Punjab". DAWN.COM. 9 May 2018. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  13. "Buzdar's nomination for Punjab CM slot triggers controversy | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  14. "PTI finalises candidates for NA, PA seats". The Nation. 25 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  15. "Election Results 2018 - Constituency Details". www.thenews.com.pk. The News. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  16. "List of PTI Candidates for Provincial Elections In Punjab | 2023". Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  17. "Being taken for a ride". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  18. Malik, Mansoor (18 August 2018). "PTI Punjab CM choice doesn't sit well with many within party". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  19. Javid, Hassan (11 September 2018). "Are Imran Khan's cabinet members selected on merit?". Herald Magazine. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  20. "Punjab CM sparks controversies in his first week in office". The News. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  21. "The Problem with Buzdar". 9 February 2020.
  22. "Punjab Assembly elects Buzdar as chief minister". DAWN.COM. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  23. "Sardar Usman Buzdar sworn in as Punjab CM | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  24. Gilani, Iqtidar (9 September 2020). "CM criticised in PA for changing IGP Punjab for fifth time". The Nation. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  25. Malik, Mansoor (25 August 2018). "Imran completes consultation with Buzdar for Punjab cabinet". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  26. "Punjab's 23-member cabinet sworn in". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  27. "Punjab Cabinet swells to 35 as 12 new ministers take oath | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  28. "CM Buzdar – PM Imran's Achilles' heel". 19 March 2022.
  29. "Buzdar steps down, Pervaiz Elahi accepts PM's offer to become CM Punjab". www.geo.tv. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  30. "Beyond Pakistan's no-confidence motion". 4 May 2022.
  31. "CM Usman Buzdar resigns, Punjab cabinet dissolved". www.thenews.com.pk.
  32. "Governor asks Usman Buzdar to continue work as Punjab CM until appointment of his successor". www.radio.gov.pk.
  33. "Imran defends nomination of Usman Buzdar as PTI's candidate for Punjab CM". DAWN.COM. 18 August 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  34. "Imran Khan's Punjab CM candidate Usman Buzdar accused of paying blood money; new Pakistan PM denies charges - Firstpost". www.firstpost.com. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  35. "Imran reposes confidence in Usman Buzdar". The News. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  36. "Imran stands by CM choice Buzdar". The Nation. 19 August 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  37. "PTI's Usman Buzdar to run show in Punjab". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  38. Birmani, Tariq Saeed (19 August 2018). "Buzdar's nomination greeted with hopes, doubts". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  39. "Despite all allegations, PM Imran stands by Punjab CM nominee Usman Buzdar". Dunya News. 18 August 2018. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  40. "Usman Buzdar cleared of 'murder controversy' as report reveals namesake suspect". Geo News. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  41. "CM Punjab Usman Buzdar cleared of 'murder controversy' as report reveals namesake suspect (VIDEO)". Daily Pakistan Global. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  42. "In first tweet after becoming PM, Khan defends Usman Buzdar's nomination". The News. 18 August 2018. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  43. "Nominated Punjab CM paid blood money resolve murder case". Dunya News. 18 August 2018. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  44. "Usman Buzdar made new chief of Buzdar tribe". 3 April 2019.
  45. "PTI's CM Punjab nominee Usman Buzdar owns assets worth Rs2005 million". Geo News. 18 August 2018. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
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