Ahsan Iqbal

Ghulam Hussain Malik

Born in Lahore on September 28, 1958, Ahsan Iqbal son of Iqbal Ahmed is currently settled in Islamabad. After getting early education at Cantt Public School, Karachi, he was admitted to the PAF College, Sargodha, from where he did his FSc. After graduating from the Government College, Lahore, he did MBA from Hamdard University. In his childhood, he used to spend time in cycling and playing cricket besides reading novels of Nasim Hijazi. In the child, he wanted to become a mechanical engineer.

Ahsan Iqbal, now federal minister for education, wants the young general of today to get more connected, politically aware and promote their country with clear vision and image.

As part of recreation, he likes to spend time with family or watch television. His hobbies including book reading and he likes to read on current affairs and politics. His favourite poet is poet-philosopher of Pakistan Allama Muhammad Iqbal while he likes readers like Irfan Siddiqui, Irfan Chaudhry, Abdul Qadir Hassan and Ayaz Amir.

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal likes to watch cricket, basketball and tennis. He likes Japan as a country and Chinese civilization while Medina is his favourite city for having spiritual heritage of Muslims. He daily uses Internet and likes horse as pet. Gardening is one of his favourite pastimes.

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal joined politics in 1980-81 when he was studying at the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore and held the office of the president of Islami Jamiat Talaba. In 1998, he joined Pakistan Muslim League of former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and is still affiliated with the party as its central information secretary.

‘Aim high’ is the motto that portrays his personality, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal is inspired by the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and believes in the manifesto of his party, which has the restoration of judiciary as the top priority. In his opinion, the top most problem of Pakistan is the lack of the rule of law and lack of education. He believes that after 20 years from now, Pakistan will be a bridge between the south and north as well as Central Asia, and an important player in the Asian affairs, hub of economic activity.

After formation of coalition government following February 18, 2008 general elections, Ahsan Iqbal was inducted in the federal cabinet as minister for education but after differences arose between the Pakistan People's Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on the restoration of deposed judges, he resigned from the office.

At the international level, he is inspired by the leadership of Den Xiao Ping for Chinese success and Mahathir Mohamed and Nelson Mandela because they invested in successful planning.

Having four brothers and two sisters, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal has three sons and one daughter.