Raja Muhammad Zulqarnain Khan
Raja Muhammad Zulqarnain Khan is President of the political entity Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.
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Raja Zulqarnain Khan took oath President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir on August 2006. Born on March 15, 1936 at Gujrat, he belonged to a distinguished family. He received his early education at Srinagar and New Delhi. After Senior Cambridge in 1951 from Aitcheson College Lahore, he graduated with honours from Government College Lahore. His father, Bahadar Raja Afzal, graduated from Prince of Wales College Jammu and did his M.A., LL.B from Aligarh College Allahabad University. After completing education he was selected in British Civil service. When Galency Commission Report was submitted Raja Afzal was deputed as Governor Jammu to cater for the concerns depicted in the Report. He held the office of Governor as well as Home Education and Revenue Minister of pre-independent Jammu & Kashmir during 1930-1941.
Later, he remained Deputy Commissioner Mianwali, Multan, Gujranwala and Sialkot. On the historical partition day being Deputy Commissioner Sialkot his house was honoured by Pakistan Flag which was hoisted by the only son of Raja Afzal Khan, the young Raja Zulqarnain Khan. He retired as Settlement Commissioner Lahore in 1952. While, his father was on frequent postings, Raja Zulqarnain Khan remained busy in his education.
He completed his Cambridge studies from Atchison College Lahore. He then joined F.C. College Lahore. He was student of LL.B. in Law College when he received his first shock of life when his father, who was very loving and carrying towards his only son died, just five years after his retirement.
In 1957, Raja Zulqarnain Khan the brilliant student of Justice Nasim Hassan Shah and after doing his FEL suddenly transformed from a young student to a responsible man of his family. First independent decision was to quit the studies and join some business to meet his family and all dependents, expenditures and requirements. During that period Raja Afzal’s son remained active companion of his father and groomed as antiquated social and political worker.
In 1960-61 Raja Zulqarnain Khan started his formal political carrier as General Secretary of the Kashmir Liberation League. In 1969, he served as Minister with President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Major General (R) Abdul Rehman in his three members Cabinet. In 1975, he was elected as Member AJ&K Legislative Assembly from Samahni constituency (Mirpur) presently in District Bhimber. In 1985, Raja Zulqarnain Khan again became member AJK Assembly as Minister for Finance, Revenue, Planning & Development and Health with the Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan. In 1991, third time he was elected as Member AJ&K Assembly and became a member of Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan’s Cabinet as Minister for Finance and Planning & Development. From 1966 to July 2001, he served as Member of AJ&K Council and Advisor to the Chairman AJ&K Council (the Prime Minister of Pakistan).
As President of AJ&K he has extensively traveled to Europe and USA to raise the profile of Pakistan essential for the resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the UN Resolutions. Raja Zulqarnain Khan’s efforts in lobbying the parliamentarians, opinion makers and policy developers has not only won new friends to support Kashmir cause universally but also helped improve the image of Pakistanis/Kashmiris living abroad. He is admired by the British and European politicians for his principled stand and active support in electing candidates to the respective Parliaments by persuading the voters of Pakistani/Kashmiri origin to vote for the candidates sincere to Kashmir Cause. He is also seen as a symbol of national unity.
At home he takes active interest in the State’s development in all areas. Establishment of Mirpur University of Science and Technology and enhancement of other educational & community welfare projects speak for his vision meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
His Excellency, possesses vast knowledge of Jammu & Kashmir History and is fully acquainted with background of the dispute. National Defense University Islamabad, National Institute of Management, Civil Services Academy and other institutions of strategic studies proudly invite His Excellency as guest speaker to speak on the issues of national importance, particularly on Kashmir Issue.
His Excellency has firm conviction that merit based approach, honesty, professional commitment and dedication amongst the public functionaries are the only parameters which can lead a State towards good governance and achievement of targets in development sector. Believes that just and equitable resolution of dispute of Jammu & Kashmir rests in true implementation of UNCIP Resolutions, those ask for right of self-determination and plebiscite to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. His Excellency, firmly resolved that only a stable and strong Pakistan can give guarantee for just resolution of dispute of Jammu & Kashmir in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and has strong conviction that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan.