Sheikh Waqas Akram

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Sheikh Waqas Akram
شیخ وقاص اکرم
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
In office
17 March 2008 – 16 March 2013
Preceded byHimself
Succeeded bySheikh Muhammad Akram
ConstituencyNA-89 Jhang-I
In office
16 November 2002 – 15 November 2007
Preceded byMolana Azam Tariq|Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi
Succeeded byHimself
ConstituencyNA-89 Jhang-I
Minister for Education
In office
2005–2013
Personal details
Born26 August 1976
Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan
CitizenshipPakistan
Political partyPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (since 2023)
Other political
affiliations
Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (2002-2013)
Pakistan Muslim League (N) (2013-2018)
Independent (2018-2023)
RelationsSheikh Muhammad Akram (father)

Sheikh Nawaz Akram (Brother)
Sheikh Fawad Akram (Brother)

Sheikh Sheraz Akram (Step Brother)

Sheikh Waqas Akram (Urdu: شیخ وقاص اکرم; born 26 August 1976) is a Pakistani politician and a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from November 2002 to November 2007 and from March 2008 to March 2013 and incumbent from 29 February 2024.[1][2] He was the Minister of State for Labour and Manpower.

Education[edit]

He did his matriculation from Abbottabad Public School. He failed his A-levels, and subsequently tried to pass intermediate from Government College, Lahore, but failed that too. He was disqualified for some time as he had submitted fake A-levels certificate while filing his nomination papers for elections.[3] He remained the Federal Minister of Education.

Political career[edit]

He won 2008 Pakistani general election from NA-89 on PML-Q ticket.[4] Previously, he had been Parliamentary Secretary of economic Affairs division, also remained Chairman standing committee on Petroleum and natural resources and a senior vice President of PML-Q. He was Member of National Assembly of Pakistan and Minister of State for Labor and Manpower. He was the Federal minister of Education in Asif Ali Zardari govt as a coalition partner of the govt. He could not take part in 2013 general elections because returning officer rejected his nomination papers based on a letter sent by HEC about his fake degrees.[5][6][7] He later challenged his rejection in a higher court Tribunal which allowed him to contest Election[citation needed]. He decided not to contest the elections. He is one of the prominent leaders of PML (N). Later he participated in 2018 Election as an independent candidate but failed to win against Ghulam Bibi Bharwana.

On 11 March 2023, Waqas Akram joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf declaring allegiance to the Haqiqi Azadi March and the party's manifesto.[8][9]

On 9 February 2024, Pakistani general election held on 8 February 2024, independent candidate Sheikh Waqas Akram, supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emerged victorious in the National Assembly seat for constituency NA-109, as reported by Geo News.[10] The election, held amidst 12th General Election of Pakistan, saw Waqas Akram garner 176586 votes,[10][11] defeating his closest rival, Sheikh Yaqub of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), by a margin of 114799 votes. Waqas Akram's campaign, which focused on Major Problems of Jhang with the youth, resonated with voters, leading to his decisive win. With this victory, Waqas Akram becomes the new representative for NA-109.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ candidates details
  2. ^ "Shiekh Waqas Akram | MNA @ Pakistan Herald". Pakistanherald.com. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Waqas A-Level certificate declared fake, puts his political future at stake". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  4. ^ http://www.pakistanileaders.com.pk/profilesPolBack.php?id=313 Voting statistics of constituency
  5. ^ "The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News".
  6. ^ "Degrees of Shekih Waqas Akram, Yasir Raza fake: HEC". Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Cambridge University declares Sheikh Waqas A-Level certificate fake". Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Former PML-N leader Sheikh Waqas Akram joins PTI". Dawn. 11 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Sheikh Waqas Akram joins PTI". Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Independents spring surprise as people await election results". The Nation. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  11. ^ "NA-109 Election Result 2024 Jhang 2, Candidates List". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 13 February 2024.