Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui is a prominent Pakistani politician and the current chairman of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) since 2024. With a long and eventful political career, Siddiqui has held several important positions, including serving as the Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication. His journey in Pakistani politics is marked by his leadership roles, influence within MQM, and his tenure in various government capacities.
Early Life and Education
Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was born in Karachi and pursued his education at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, where he studied medicine. During his student years, he became actively involved in politics and was elected as the chairman of the All Pakistan Muttahidda Students Organization (APMSO) in 1989. This role marked the beginning of his political journey and laid the foundation for his future involvement with MQM.
Entry into Politics
Siddiqui first entered mainstream politics when he was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of the Haq Parast Group (HPG) from NA-169 (Hyderabad-III) in the 1990 general election. He received 91,373 votes, defeating his opponent from the Pakistan Democratic Alliance. The 1990 election was a significant one for MQM, as the party fielded candidates under the HPG banner.
Rise within MQM
In 1993, Dr. Siddiqui was appointed as the deputy convener of MQM, marking his rise within the party’s ranks. He was re-elected to the National Assembly in the 1997 general election, again as a candidate of HPG from the same constituency, NA-169 (Hyderabad-III). This time, he received 54,044 votes, defeating the Pakistan Muslim League (N) candidate. His growing influence within MQM was evident, and he continued to be a key figure in the party’s leadership.
Federal Minister for Industries and Production
In July 1997, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was inducted into the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as the Federal Minister for Industries and Production. He served in this role until August 1998, during which time he focused on policies to boost Pakistan’s industrial sector. His tenure as a federal minister added to his political credentials and broadened his experience in governance.
Return to the National Assembly
After a hiatus, Dr. Siddiqui returned to the National Assembly in the 2013 general election. This time, he contested from Constituency NA-219 (Hyderabad-I) as an MQM candidate. He won the seat with 141,035 votes, defeating his opponent from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). His victory reaffirmed his strong support base in Hyderabad and his continued relevance in national politics.
Leadership in MQM
In February 2018, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s political career took a significant turn when he was elevated from the position of deputy convener to the convener of MQM. This decision was made by the Coordination Committee of MQM, which appointed him as the new convener, replacing Farooq Sattar. However, this change in leadership led to internal strife within the party.
Farooq Sattar, in response to his removal, dissolved the party’s Coordination Committee and called for fresh intra-party elections. On 18 February 2018, Sattar was re-elected as the convener of the party in these elections. However, Siddiqui’s faction challenged the legitimacy of the elections and filed a petition with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). They argued that since Sattar had been removed as convener, he had no authority to hold the elections.
Legal Battle and Victory
The legal battle between the two factions of MQM culminated on 26 March 2018, when the ECP ruled in favor of Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. The ECP removed Farooq Sattar as the convener of MQM, solidifying Siddiqui’s position as the legitimate leader of the party. This ruling was later upheld by the Islamabad High Court, further strengthening Siddiqui’s leadership.
2018 General Election and Ministerial Role
In the 2018 general election Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was re-elected to the National Assembly as an MQM candidate from Constituency NA-255 (Karachi Central-III). He received 59,781 votes, defeating Mahmood Moulvi, a candidate of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). His re-election was a testament to his enduring popularity in Karachi, a city that has long been a stronghold of MQM.
Following the election, when Imran Khan announced his federal cabinet, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was named the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication. He was sworn in on 20 August 2018, taking charge of a crucial ministry in the federal cabinet. His tenure as the minister was marked by efforts to modernize Pakistan’s IT sector and expand telecommunication services across the country.
Legal Challenges
Despite his successes, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui political career has not been without challenges. On 20 August 2018, a court declared him a proclaimed absconder in a case related to the violation of the Loudspeaker Act. This legal issue was a blemish on his otherwise illustrious career, but it did not significantly hinder his political activities.
Resignation from the Federal Cabinet
On 6 April 2020, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui tenure as the Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication came to an end when his resignation was accepted by Prime Minister Imran Khan. His resignation was part of a broader cabinet reshuffle, and it marked the conclusion of his official role in the federal government at that time.
Departure from the Coalition Government
In a significant political move, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui MQM-P decided to leave the coalition government of Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 30, 2022. This decision was driven by disagreements over the government’s policies and marked a shift in the political landscape of Pakistan. MQM-P’s departure from the coalition underscored the party’s independent stance and its willingness to challenge the ruling government when necessary.
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