Mehtab Abbasi

{{Short description|Pakistani politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Mehtab Abbasi | office = 27th Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | order = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = Sardar_Mehtab_Ahmed_Khan.jpg | alt = | caption = | alongside = <!--For two or more people serving in the same position from the same district. (e.g. United States Senators.)--> | chancellor = | constituency = | deputy = | governor-general = | lieutenant = | monarch = | predecessor = Shaukatullah Khan | president = Mamnoon Hussain | prime_minister = Nawaz Sharif | succeeding = <!--For President-elect or equivalent--> | successor = Iqbal Zafar Jhagra | taoiseach = | signature = | signature_alt = | alongside2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | constituency2 = NA-17 Abbottabad-II | deputy2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | governor = | governor2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | lieutenant2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | majority = | monarch2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | office2 = Ministry of Railways (Pakistan) | order2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | predecessor2 = | prime_minister2 = Yusuf Raza Gilani | party = AP (2024-present)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last1=Ayub |first1=Imran |last2=Rehman |first2=Atika |date=2024-06-21 |title=Miftah Ismail, Khaqan Abbasi launch 'Awaam Pakistan' party |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1840952 |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=22 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622065414/https://www.dawn.com/news/1840952 |url-status=live }}</ref> | prior_term = | vice_president2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | vice_prime_minister2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | succeeding2 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | successor2 = | birth_name = Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|01|13|df=y}} | birth_place = Malkot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan | death_date = | death_place = | citizenship = | other_party = PMLN (1993-2023) | partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married--> | relations = Sardar Fareed Ahmed Khan Abbasi (cousin) | children = Sardar Shamoon Yar Khan (son) | parents = | alma_mater = Government High School, Murree<br />Sir Sayyad College, Rawalpindi | occupation = Politician | profession = Lawyer | cabinet = | committees = | portfolio = | blank1 = | data1 = | honorific_prefix = Sardar | term_start = 15 April 2014<ref name="Fida 01">{{cite web|last=Fida|first=Nauman|title=Sardar Mehtab Abbasi takes oath as new KPK governor|url=http://www.thenewstribe.com/2014/04/15/sardar-mehtab-abbasi-takes-oath-as-new-kpk-governor/|publisher=Thenewstribe|accessdate=15 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420001435/http://www.thenewstribe.com/2014/04/15/sardar-mehtab-abbasi-takes-oath-as-new-kpk-governor/|archive-date=20 April 2014|url-status=usurped}}</ref> | term_end = 8 February 2016 | governor_general = | term_start2 = 2008 | term_end2 = 2008 | order3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | office3 = Member of the Senate of Pakistan | term_start3 = 2003 | term_end3 = 2008 | alongside3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | vice_president3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | vice_prime_minister3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | deputy3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | lieutenant3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | monarch3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | prime_minister3 = Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Shaukat Aziz | governor3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | succeeding3 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | predecessor3 = | successor3 = | constituency3 = | order4 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | office4 = Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | term_start4 = 21 February 1997 | term_end4 = 12 October 1999 | alongside4 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | vice_president4 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | vice_prime_minister4 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | deputy4 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | lieutenant4 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | monarch4 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | president4 = Muhammad Rafiq Tarar | prime_minister4 = Nawaz Sharif | governor4 = Miangul Aurangzeb | succeeding4 = <!--Can be repeated up to eight times by changing the number--> | predecessor4 = Raja Sikander Zaman | successor4 = Akram Khan Durrani | constituency4 = | blank2 = | data2 = | blank3 = | data3 = | blank4 = | data4 = | blank5 = | data5 = }}

'''Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi''' (Urdu/Hindko: {{lang|ps|سردار مہتاب احمد خان عباسی}}; born 13 January 1953) is a Pakistani politician from Abbottabad who began his political career as an independent candidate in the 1985 election. He won seats in both the provincial and national assembly. He also won all subsequent elections up to that of 2013.

Sardar Mehtab served as Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan from 2014 to 2016, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 1997 to 1999, and Federal Minister for Railways in 2008.<ref>Sajjad Malik, [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\04\01\story_1-4-2008_pg1_5 "24-member federal cabinet takes oath"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120728122833/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C04%5C01%5Cstory_1-4-2008_pg1_5 |date=2012-07-28 }} ''Daily Times'', 1 April 2008</ref> He is politically affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League (N). He served as a senator for five years beginning in March 2003, until he won the NA-17 Abbottabad-I seat for the National Assembly of Pakistan in the 2008 general election.

== Early life and education == Born into a Dhund Abbasi family in Malkot, a village in the Abbottabad District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sardar Mehtab passed matriculation from Govt High School Murree and graduated from the Sir Syed School in Rawalpindi. He then did his LLB and practiced law in Rawalpindi. Abandoning law, he joined his father Sardar Muhammad Nawaz Khan's clothing business in Saddar, Rawalpindi. His uncle Sardar Sarfaraz Khan has also been a politician and encouraged his nephew Sardar Mehtab to get into politics as well.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Me |date=25 March 2010 |url=https://sardarmehtab.wordpress.com/about/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719062247/https://sardarmehtab.wordpress.com/about/ |archive-date=19 July 2023}}</ref>

His cousin and brother-in-law Sardar Fareed Ahmed Khan Abbasi is also a politician.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sadaqat |first=Muhammad |date=3 June 2014 |title=Abbottabad voters to choose between 'change' and 'dynasty' |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/717062/abbottabad-voters-to-choose-between-change-and-dynasty |access-date=19 July 2023 |website=The Express Tribune |archive-date=4 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704080746/https://tribune.com.pk/story/717062/abbottabad-voters-to-choose-between-change-and-dynasty/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

His son Sardar Shamoon Yar Khan has been an MPA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 2022 |title=PML-N Abbottabad leaders bury hatchet |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1677601 |access-date=19 July 2023 |website=Dawn News |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719181709/https://www.dawn.com/news/1677601 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Political career ==

=== Provincial Minister for Law === Sardar Mehtab was elected to a provincial seat after winning the 1986 general election. He served as Provincial Minister for Law and Political Affairs from 1986 until 1988, when another general election was called.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pakp.gov.pk/2013/member/pk-45/ |title=Mr. Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan |website=pakp.gov.pk |access-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623142922/http://www.pakp.gov.pk/2013/member/pk-45/ |archive-date=23 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (1990–1993) === In 1990, Sardar Mehtab was elected to the National Assembly, for which he abandoned his provincial seat. He was subsequently appointed Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas. He held the post until 1993 when the General Assembly was dissolved and new elections were called.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kana.gov.pk/contactus.php?page_id=5 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926143225/http://www.kana.gov.pk/contactus.php?page_id=5 |archive-date=26 September 2017|url-status=live }}</ref>

=== As Chief Minister of KPK (1997–1999) === Abbasi became the 16th Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 21 February 1997, taking over from Raja Sikander Zaman; he served until 12 October 1999.<ref>[http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=10427 'Five in the run for presidency'] ''The News'' {{Dead link|date=November 2019}}</ref>

During his tenure as Chief Minister, Abbasi approved the Chief Minister Development Plan prepared by Professor Subhan Qureshi, which was later updated to Dairy Science Park through two international workshops held at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar in 2011 and 2013 respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aup.edu.pk/dean.php?f_id=3 |title=Dean Faculty of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Sciences: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Subhan Qureshi |website=The University of Agriculture, Peshawar |accessdate=3 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316165045/http://aup.edu.pk/dean.php?f_id=3 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aup.edu.pk/dairy-science-park2011.php |title=International Workshop on Dairy Science Park |date=21 November 2011 |website=The University of Agriculture, Peshawar |accessdate=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607082149/http://aup.edu.pk/dairy-science-park2011.php |archive-date=7 June 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aup.edu.pk/dairy-science-park2013.php |title=Second International Workshop on Dairy Science Park |date=18 November 2013 |website=The University of Agriculture, Peshawar |accessdate=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129222948/http://www.aup.edu.pk/dairy-science-park2013.php |archive-date=29 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Park has given birth to the Peshawar Meat Company,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aup.edu.pk/news_details.php?n_id=251 |title=Minister for Local Government KP briefed on Peshawar Meat Company |website=The University of Agriculture, Peshawar |accessdate=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130003006/http://www.aup.edu.pk/news_details.php?n_id=251 |archive-date=30 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183:pakistan/1166763:minister-briefed-on-establishment-of-peshawar-meat-company/ |title=Minister briefed on establishment of Peshawar Meat Company |date=28 March 2014 |website=Business Recorder |accessdate=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129222945/http://www.brecorder.com/agriculture-a-allied/183:pakistan/1166763:minister-briefed-on-establishment-of-peshawar-meat-company/ |archive-date=29 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> which is to be implemented jointly by the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, the Department of Local Government and Rural Development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aup.edu.pk/dairy-science-park.php |title=Dairy Science Park |website=The University of Agriculture, Peshawar |accessdate=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322074652/http://aup.edu.pk/dairy-science-park.php |archive-date=22 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dairysciencepark.org.pk/ |title=Dairy Science Park–Display Center |accessdate=29 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129233035/http://dairysciencepark.org.pk/ |archive-date=29 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Post-CM political career === Abbasi could not contest the general elections in 2002 for the National Assembly and had to settle for being a senator from March 2003 – March 2008.

=== As senator (2003–2008) === Abbasi was among the few politicians who remained in Pakistan. He was an integral part of the party during the exile of Nawaz Sharif and was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 2003 holding this office until the 2008 general elections.

=== Member of National Assembly (2008–2013) === In the 2008 general elections, Mehtab Ahmed Khan won the NA-17 Abbottabad seat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Detail Result of Constituency "NA-17" |url=http://www.elections.com.pk/resultsdetail.php?constId=1250&assemblyId=&st=101&toggle=1 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721200114/http://www.elections.com.pk/resultsdetail.php?constId=1250&assemblyId=&st=101&toggle=1 |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> He also won the PF-45 provincial assembly seat and had to vacate both the Senate and the Provincial Assembly seats after the victory since a parliamentarian in Pakistan can only keep one seat. His son Shamoon Yar Khan won this seat. He was elected as the federal Minister for Railways on 31 March 2008 in the initial coalition between the PPP and PML(N) after the elections. However, he, along with the other PML(N) ministers, resigned less than two months later after differences regarding the restoration of the judges who were removed during the 2007 Pakistani state of emergency.<ref>{{cite web |title=PML-N ministers resign, PM holds decision till Zardari's return |date=2008-05-13 |url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38079 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172931/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38079 |archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref>

In the 2013 general elections, Mehtab Ahmad Khan lost to his political rival for a seat in the national assembly.

=== Post 2013 elections === Abbasi was elected as the Opposition Leader in the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 3 June 2013; he retained the position until 9 April 2014 when he resigned to take the oath as the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

=== Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa === The President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, on the advice of then Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, appointed Abbasi as Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Abbasi took the oath of office on 15 April 2014 in Peshawar.<ref name="Fida 01"/> On 8 February 2016, Abbasi resigned as Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.<ref>{{Cite news |last=<!--staff byline; no author given--> |date=8 February 2016 |title=KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Abbasi resigns |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/96852-KPK-Governor-Sardar-Mehtab-Abbasi-resigns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208183609/http://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/96852-KPK-Governor-Sardar-Mehtab-Abbasi-resigns |archive-date=8 February 2016 |access-date=8 February 2016 |work=The News International}}</ref>

=== Head of Aviation Affairs === After resigning as the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a year-long hiatus, Abbasi took up the role of aviation advisor to the prime minister on 14 February 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1326964/mehtab-abbasi-appointed-aviation-adviser/|title=Mehtab Abbasi appointed aviation adviser|publisher=The Express Tribune|author=Salman Siddiqui|date=14 February 2017|accessdate=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911205206/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1326964/mehtab-abbasi-appointed-aviation-adviser/|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Abbasi took this position to improve the loss-making Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and turn around its operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/225658-Sardar-Mahtab-dissatisfied-with-renovation-work-pace-at-airport|title=Sardar Mahtab dissatisfied with renovation work pace at airport|publisher=The News|author=Bureau Report|date=24 August 2017|accessdate=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911204512/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/225658-Sardar-Mahtab-dissatisfied-with-renovation-work-pace-at-airport|archive-date=11 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In this short time, he has made big changes in the PIA, whereby the CEO and CCO were replaced. Furthermore, improvements have been made in aircraft surveillance to curb drug trafficking, which was rampant in the past. The New Islamabad Airport was also completed under his supervision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/03/12/new-airport-to-be-operational-in-april-mehtab-abbasi/|title=New airport to be operational in April: Mehtab Abbasi {{!}} Pakistan Today|website=www.pakistantoday.com.pk|access-date=2019-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108150146/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/03/12/new-airport-to-be-operational-in-april-mehtab-abbasi/|archive-date=2019-11-08|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Leaving PML-N === He left the PML(N) on 15 December 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-12-15 |title=Sardar Mehtab Abbasi parts ways with PML-N |url=https://arynews.tv/sardar-mehtab-abbasi-parts-ways-with-pml-n/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=ARY NEWS |language=en-US}}</ref> On 20 January 2024, his party membership was officially terminated after he announced his support for Ali Khan Jadoon, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backedindependent candidate, in the 2024 Pakistani general election for NA-17 Abbottabad-II.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naqvi |first=Abbas |date=2024-01-20 |title=PML-N expels Sardar Mehtab Abbasi for violating party discipline |url=https://www.samaa.tv/208738398-pml-n-expels-sardar-mehtab-abbasi-for-violating-party-discipline |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=SAMAA News |language=en-US |archive-date=20 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120165430/https://www.samaa.tv/208738398-pml-n-expels-sardar-mehtab-abbasi-for-violating-party-discipline |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.pak.gov.pk/minrail.aspx Minister of Railways Profile] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071209093404/http://www.senate.gov.pk/ShowMemberDetail.asp?MemberCode=434&CatCode=0&CatName= Profile on Senator Mehtab Ahmed Khan] *[http://www.pakistanherald.com/profile/sardar-mehtab-ahmed-khan-abbasi-197 Politicians of Pakistan] *[http://www.na.gov.pk/en/profile.php?uid=23 Sardar Mehtab as MNA] *[http://pakistanileaders.com.pk/profile/Sardar_Mehtab_Ahmed_Khan A Pakistani Leader] *[http://bermang.blogspot.com/ Political History of Circle Bakote] *[http://dhundatribe.blogspot.com/ Sardar Mehtab tribe of Circle Bakote] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172931/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38079] *[https://tribune.com.pk/story/1326964/mehtab-abbasi-appointed-aviation-adviser/] *[https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/225658-Sardar-Mahtab-dissatisfied-with-renovation-work-pace-at-airport] {{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Raja Sikander Zaman}} {{s-ttl|title=Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|years=1997–1999}} {{s-aft|after=Akram Khan Durrani}} |- {{s-bef|before=Shaukatullah Khan}} {{s-ttl|title=Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|years=15 April 2014 – 8 February 2016}} {{s-aft|after=Iqbal Zafar Jhagra}} {{s-end}}

{{Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}} {{Governors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abbasi, Mehtab}} Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:Hindkowan people Category:North-West Frontier Province MPAs 1997–1999 Category:Pakistan Muslim League (N) politicians Category:People from Abbottabad District Category:Ministers of railways of Pakistan Category:Dhund Abbasi Category:Leaders of the opposition in the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa