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Babar Awan
ظہیر الدین بابر اعوان
Advisor to Prime Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (Federal Minister)
In office
6 April 2020 – 10 April 2022
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterImran Khan
Preceded byAzam Swati
In office
20 August 2018 – 4 September 2018
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterImran Khan
Succeeded byIjaz Ahmed Shah
Member of the Senate of Pakistan (Senator)
In office
12 March 2012 – 17 July 2017
ConstituencyPunjab, Pakistan
In office
22 February 2006 – 28 February 2012
ConstituencyPunjab, Pakistan
Vice President of Pakistan Peoples Party
In office
29 December 2011 – 2 May 2012
ChairmanBilawal Bhutto Zardari
Co-ChairmanAsif Ali Zardari
Preceded byShah Mahmood Qureshi
Succeeded byManzoor Wattoo
Federal Minister for Law and Justice
In office
3 November 2008 – 12 April 2011
PresidentAsif Ali Zardari
Prime MinisterYusuf Raza Gillani
Preceded byFarooq H. Naek
Succeeded byMoula Bakhsh Chandio
Personal details
Born
Zaheer-ud-din Babar Awan
CitizenshipPakistani
NationalityPakistani
Political partyPTI (2017–present)
Other political
affiliations		PPP (1997–2017)
RelationsGhulam Farooq Awan (brother) Malik Shakeel Awan (nephew)
ResidenceIslamabad
Alma materUniversity of Punjab
Karachi University
Monticello University
OccupationLawyer
AwardsSitara-e-Imtiaz (2012)
Supreme Court of Pakistan

Zaheer-ud-din Babar Awan (Urdu: ظہیر الدین بابر اعوان; SI), is a Pakistani politician, senior lawyer, author, analyst, columnist, and leftist writer who served as Adviser to Prime Minister for Parliamentary Affairs from April 2020 to 10 April 2022, and before that as the Federal Law Minister in the cabinet of former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani. He also served as a junior Pakistani Senator of Punjab Province from 2012 to 2017.[1] Later he joined PTI to serve as Member Executive Council of PTI.

He regularly writes and publishes on left-wing philosophy.[1] He extensively writes political columns in a leading Urdu newspaper, the Daily Jang, in support of social democracy and social justice.[2][3]

Early life and education

Babar Awan matriculated in 1971 and attended the Punjab University to study humanities.[4] In 1975, Awan graduated with a B.A. in Humanities, and later obtained Master of Science in Economics from the Punjab University in 1978.[4]

In 1980, Awan moved to Karachi and attended the Karachi University to study law where he obtained LLB in civil law in 1986.[4] He began practicing law at the Sindh High Court, initially taking criminal cases.[4]

Awan now lives in Islamabad.[5] His brother Ghulam Farooq Awan served as the advisor to Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousaf Raza Gillani for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. He also served as the additional Attorney General of Pakistan.[6]

Activities

Political activism and PPP

His interest in politics grew in the 1980s while studying law at the Karachi University, and was an activist of the Peoples Students Federation— a youth wing of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). In 1996, he became member of the PPP.

Although being a member of the PPP, he unsuccessfully contested the 1997 Pakistani general election from NA-36 Rawalpindi-I as a candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League (J). He received 21,768 votes and was defeated by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML(N)).[7]

In 2002, Awan unsuccessfully contested for the Islamabad constituency in the general elections, but conceded his defeat. In 2004, Benazir Bhutto appointed Awan as the finance secretary of the Pakistan People's Party.

In 2006, Awan successfully contested for the indirect elections for Senate, and was elected unopposed. Awan was present alongside prominent party leaders such as Ameen Faheem when the announcement of Benazir Bhutto's return to Pakistan was made. Awan was present during the 19 October attack on Benazir Bhutto in Karachi, and then when Benazir Bhutto was killed in Rawalpindi. Awan was the first one to announce Bhutto's death to the Pakistani public, outside Rawalpindi General Hospital which is now known as Benazir Bhutto Hospital. Awan told the party workers outside the hospital, "I have just talked to Dr. Mussadiq, he has confirmed to me that Mohtarma (Benazir Bhutto) has been martyred."[8]

Law and Justice Ministry (2008–2011)

After successfully contesting in general elections held in 2008, Awan was appointed as the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs as well as the Law Minister in November 2008.[9]

Over many legal issues, Awan resigned from the Justice Ministry in 2011, but was brought back less than 48 hours later. During this time, Awan was considered the right-hand man of then-President Zardari. He was also given the Ministry of Information Technology. In 2011, he resigned as minister to plead in the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto murder case.[10] On 2 May 2012, Awan was stripped of all his party posts by the Central Executive Committee of the PPP.[11]

After Awan's sacking, it was expected that he would join another party although he remained a member of the PPP for another five years. In early 2013, Awan met Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan. Rumours spread that Awan would soon join the PTI.[12]

On 21 June 2017 Awan announced that he will join PTI and with immediate effect step down from his seat in Senate.

Writings and columns

In June 2012, Awan claimed that he was receiving life threats and that his family was also being threatened.[13] He asked the concerned authorities to provide him with security. In early 2013, Awan began tweeting regularly. He uses his Twitter account to make political statements and to maintain contact with his supporters. By July 2013, Awan had 34,000 followers on Twitter.[14]

In 2011, Awan published his first book called the Wakalat Nama [Urdu: وکالت نامۂ; Lawyers' diary], which was a collection of his columns and articles published in the newspapers of Pakistan from 1997 to 2009.[15] In November 2011, Awan published another book based on the arguments he made in court during the Karachi Conspiracy case.[16] The judges' bench of that case was led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Television anchor and analyst

He is doing television programs from last many years, early he was doing an Islamic show on ATV and later he did Ikhtilafi Note on Neo TV. The show was hosted by Farwat Malik and Babar Awan participated as an analyst.[17]

2013 elections campaign

On 28 May 2013, Awan issued a statement saying that it was the right of the new government to complete its stipulated term; however, the opposition should not be of the government's choice. He added that, "the role of the opposition would now be determined in accordance with the Constitution and the rules of business as opposed to via any reconciliatory formula."[18] In July 2013, Awan criticized the Pakistan Election Commission for organizing Presidential Elections in a manner that dissatisfied the opposition political parties.

He went on to say that, "holding presidential election with the shortage of a large number of 46 law makers would result into constitutional chaos and will be a stigma on the election for the extremely distinguished constitutional office."[19] On 5 July 2012, Awan said, "there is serious power crisis and the newly elected government has to take prompt measures including construction of Kalabagh Dam." He further said before restoration of bilateral ties with India, Islamabad had to raise outstanding Kashmir and water issue.[20]

The PPP has used Awan for dialogue with other political parties. Awan is highly supported in his Awan tribe. His political base lies in his hometown. Awan's elder brother was also a worker of the Pakistan People's Party. Another one of his brothers works for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in Punjab.[21] In 2011, Awan held negotiations on behalf of the Pakistan Peoples Party with the Pakistan Muslim League.[22] This led to an alliance between the PPP and the PML, which further strengthened the PPP government and gave them a majority in Parliament. Awan often used to negotiate on the behalf of the PPP with Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, who is the Punjab President of PML-Q.[23] Awan was also used for dialogue with PPP's coalition partner, MQM. Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan, the 30th governor of Sindh visited Awan at his residence and agreed that a working relationship should be established between the PPP and MQM.[24] His nephew, Shakeel Awan is a member of the PML-N and is also a former member of the Pakistan National Assembly. He had defeated Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad in his constituency.[25] He is currently an active member of PTI.

After PTI success in Pakistan General election 2018 he was appointed as advisor to Prime Minister on parliamentary affairs,.He resigned on 4 September 2018 after NAB opened an inquiry against him,[26] however he was not proven guilty and inquiry against him was closed.

PhD claim

According to the media sources and investigative journalists accounts, Awan is said to have been awarded a PhD in criminal law from the diploma mill Monticello University based in Hawaii, United States, in 1998.[4] Controversy surrounded his law PhD also noted that the Monticello University misspelled his PhD nomination papers as "Monty Cello" from where he affirmed to have done his doctorate degree.[4]

Haris Steel case

In November 2009, National Accountability Bureau of Pakistan summoned Awan after he was accused for getting bribes worth of 30 million Pakistani rupees from the owners of the Haris Steel Mill in order to get a favourable verdict from the court.[27] Awan was reported to have said that he had certainly not taken 30 million rupees and that the money he had taken was his professional fee.[28] He further said that anyone was welcome to pursue any complaint in any professional body. In 2011, Sheikh Afzal, the owner of Haris Steel Mill, stated that he has been pressured by the Punjab Government to issue a statement against Awan. The charges were later dropped against Awan, due to Sheikh Afzal's statement.

Contempt of court

On 1 December 2011, Awan held a press conference in which he criticized a Supreme Court judge.[29] The Supreme Court issued a notice of contempt of court to Awan in late December. On 5 January 2012, Awan was issued a second contempt of court notice by Supreme Court of Pakistan, due to a comment he made while talking to the media on 4 January.[30] His license to practice law was subsequently suspended on 17 January for an indefinite period.[30][31] The Supreme Court further asked the Federal Government to appoint someone else as their lawyer in the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto case. Ali Ahmad Kurd disagreed with the Supreme Court's decision to suspend Awan's license.[32] Awan was indicted by the Supreme Court in March 2012. Awan's counsel, Ali Zafar, maintained during the hearing that the court cannot indict Awan without having made a decision on the unconditional apology he offered twice to the court. He said that the purpose of contempt of court proceedings is to maintain the respect of the judiciary not to "demean someone."[33]

Witness in contempt case

The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari in a briefing to his close confidants disclosed that he had given a personal guarantee that Babar Awan will appear before the court as a witness in Prime Minister's contempt case. This was later confirmed by Prime Ministers council Aitezaz Ahsan in an interview given to Arshad Sharif for his program KYUN.[34] Aitezaz said Babar's name was given to him by the President and PM both but Babar Awan refused to show up which irked the President.

Books

  • وکالت‌نامه / Vakālat nāmah, Lahore : Jumhūrī Publications, 2010, 486 p. Collected articles on Pakistan politics and government; published in newspapers.
  • کراچى قتل عام : از خود نوٹس سپريم کورٹ آف پاکستان / Karācī qatl-i ʻām : az k̲h̲vud noṭis Suprīm Korṭ āf Pākistān, Lahore : Jumhūrī Publications, 2011, 112 p. On his arguments as advocate of the state representing PPP against the suo moto action taken by the Supreme Court on the civilian killings in Karachi.
  • رجیم چینج اور توہینِ ریاست ضیا، مشرف اور قمر باجوہ کے تنازعے / Regime Change aur Tauheen e Riasat : Zia, Musharraf aur Qamar Bajwa ke Tanazay, Lahore : Jumhūrī Publications, 2023, 224 p.

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b "Dr. Babar Awan". Pakistan Herald. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  2. ^ Dr. Babar Awan – Urdu columns, The News, 2013, archived from the original on 7 July 2015, retrieved 11 August 2013
  3. ^ "Babar Awan to be appointed as advisor for Parliamentary Affairs – Daily Times". Dailytimes.com.pk. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Cheema, Umar (18 February 2012). "Babar Awan finally concedes he is no doctor from any university". The News International, 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  5. ^ Eik Din Babar Awan kay Sath, 22 November 2011 – via YouTube
  6. ^ "Farooq Awan appointed Advisor to PM on Law", Pakistan Times, 22 March 2011, archived from the original on 3 November 2013
  7. ^ "NA-36 Rawalpindi Detail Election Result 1997 Full Information". electionpakistani.com. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  8. ^ Babar Awan announcing death, msab73Youtube, 15 January 2008
  9. ^ Government to complete its term with will of public: Dr. Babar, Press Information Department of Government of Pakistan, 19 December 2009
  10. ^ "Babar Awan becomes PPP vice president". Dawn. Pakistan. 29 December 2011.
  11. ^ "Sidelined: Babar Awan stripped of all PPP posts". The Express Tribune. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2012.
  12. ^ Is Babar Awan Joining PTI, Imran Khan meeting with Dr.Babar Awan!, PakistanTV, 2013
  13. ^ I am receiving life threats: Babar Awan, The News Tribe, 15 June 2012
  14. ^ @DrBabarAwan, Twitter, 2013
  15. ^ Wakalat Nama (Urdu edition), Jumhoori, 2011, ISBN 978-9698455538
  16. ^ Karachi Qatl e Aam, Jumhoori, 2011, ISBN 978-9698455873
  17. ^ "Neo TV | Ikhtilafe Note". videos.neonetwork.pk. Archived from the original on 19 December 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  18. ^ Strong opposition needed at the centre: Babar Awan, LahoreTimes, 28 May 2013, archived from the original on 3 November 2013, retrieved 11 August 2013
  19. ^ Presidential elections sans 46 members a stigma: Awan, The News, 19 July 2013
  20. ^ Babar Awan for early construction of Kalabagh Dam, Geo TV, 5 July 2013
  21. ^ "Babar Awan's brother joins MQM", Daily Times, 14 January 2010
  22. ^ Ahmad Fraz Khan (24 April 2011). "PPP offer puts PML-Q in a double bind". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  23. ^ "Awan strikes again", The Capital Post, 30 October 2010
  24. ^ Governor Sindh and Babar Awan meet, PakWatan
  25. ^ Shakeel Awan and Babar Awan, flickr, 2013
  26. ^ "Babar Awan files a petition in IHC seeking a ban on live speeches by Nawaz – Global Village Space". Global Village Space. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  27. ^ Masood Rehman (12 December 2009). "BoP loan scam: NAB summons top lawyers over bribery charges". Pakistan Daily Times. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  28. ^ "Haris alleges political victimisation". Dawn. Pakistan. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  29. ^ Babar Awan press conference – 1st December 2011, watchPakistani, 2011
  30. ^ a b Terence J Sigamony (18 January 2012). "SC clips Babar's wings over foul flap". The Nation. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  31. ^ Order in Bhutto Reference Case, para. 5
  32. ^ "Contempt notice to Awan regrettable", The News International, 17 January 2012, retrieved 6 July 2012
  33. ^ Contempt of Court: Sc to indict Babar Awan on Thursday, The Express Tribune, March 2012
  34. ^ "KYUN". Retrieved 28 April 2012.
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