Ayaz_Amir

Ayaz Amir

Ayaz Amir

Pakistani journalist, columnist, and politician


Ayaz Amir (Urdu: ایاز امیر) is a Pakistani Journalist, analyst, columnist, former military officer, diplomat and politician.[3] Previously, he had been a member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in 1990s and a member of the National Assembly between 2008 and 2013.[4]

Quick Facts Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Preceded by ...

In September 2022, Amir's son Shahnawaz was indicted by police for the murder of his wife, Sarah Inam.[5]

Early life

Ayaz Amir was born in Bhagwal village of Chakwal. He received his education from Lawrence College, Murree and then joined Pakistan Military Academy as a cadet officer.[6][7][8] He retired as a captain from the Pakistan Army and joined the foreign service.[9][8]

In 1981, he was imprisoned again for five months.[9]

Political career

Ayaz Amir had been a part of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) prior to joining PML-N. He then left PPP while it was in power in the late 80's and joined the PML (N) when it was in the opposition in early 2000.[9] He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab from Chakwal constituency in the 1997 Pakistani general election as a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N).[1] He left the PML-N for a brief time in 1998 and later rejoined the party in 2002 and was active in a struggle to restore democracy to the country.[10]

He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan from Constituency NA-60 Chakwal as a candidate of PML-N in the 2008 Pakistani general elections and achieved the highest number of votes in Pakistan, a record of over 125,000.[11] In 2013, he applied for a PML-N ticket but was not granted one.[12] He then left PML-N.[13] In recent years, Ayaz has openly expressed his disillusionment with politics and believes that the political aspect of his life is now over.[9]

In 2018, he was nominated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the role of Care Taker Chief Minister of Punjab.[14]

Journalism career

Ayaz Amir started his career as a columnist for Dawn.[15] His columns were initially known for being critical of the Pakistan Army’s role in politics; he has taken a softer approach in recent times proclaiming the Army of today to be a battle hardened and resilient Army and not the chocolate Army of yesteryears. He later wrote a column for The News International for many years before he developed differences with them and turned to writing his column in Urdu.[9][16]

He has also hosted a talk show Counterpoint on ARY One World television.[citation needed] He currently appears as an analyst on the Pakistani TV channel Duniya News current affairs show called Think Tank.[17]

Assaulted

A day after attending a seminar hosted by Imran Khan, where Ayaz criticized Khan for giving an extension to the Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and referring to the top brass in the army as "property dealers", Ayaz Amir got in his car to leave the studio of Dunya News, as he did so his car was stopped half way by unidentified men who dragged him out of his car, tore his clothes, and stole his phone and wallet.[18]


References

  1. "Constituency wise detailed Result (1988 - 1997) - Punjab Assembly" (PDF). ecp.gov.pk. Election Commission of Pakistan. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  2. "Ayaz Amir is Imran's man for NA-58 seat". Dawn (newspaper). 21 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  3. "Ayaz Amir". National Assembly of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  4. "Know Your Old Gallians". lawrencecollege.edu.pk. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  5. Ayaz Amir (28 October 2010). "150 years of Lawrence College". The News International (newspaper). Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  6. F.S. Aijazuddin (7 July 2022). "The sinister knock". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  7. "Ayaz Amir faces opposition within PML-N". Dawn (nnewspaper). 17 April 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  8. "General Elections 2008 - Report (Volume - II)" (PDF). ecp.gov.pk. Election Commission of Pakistan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  9. "Ayaz Amir asks PML-N to revise decision". Dawn (nnewspaper). 17 April 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  10. "Ayaz Amir quits PML-N, will support PTI". Pakistan Today (newspaper). 19 April 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  11. "PTI lists Ayaz Amir in nominations for caretaker CM Punjab". Daily Pakistan (newspaper). 1 June 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  12. "Senior journalist Ayaz Amir attacked, tortured in Lahore". Pakistan Today (newspaper). 1 July 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.

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