The 12th president of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, served a five-year term beginning on 9 September 2013. Born in Agra in 1940, he relocated to Karachi with his family in 1949. His career spanned decades as both a private sector industrialist in the textile trade and a dedicated political loyalist within the Pakistan Muslim League.
Early Business and Education
After completing his early education through homeschooling, Hussain attended the University of Karachi, graduating in 1963. He subsequently enrolled at the Institute of Business Administration in Karachi, earning an MBA in 1965. Following his studies, he entered the textile industry, establishing his own firm while assisting his father with the family's traditional leather and footwear trade. By the late 1990s, he achieved prominence in the private sector, serving as the president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 1997 until May 1999.
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Hussain began his political activities in 1968, joining the Pakistan Muslim League under the leadership of Nurul Amin. He eventually served as joint secretary for the party's Karachi chapter. In 1993, he formally aligned with the PML(N) led by Nawaz Sharif and took on the role of Finance Secretary for the party in Sindh. Between 1997 and 1998, he functioned as an advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister.
Gubernatorial and Presidential Tenure
Appointed Governor of Sindh in June 1999, his term concluded abruptly that October following a military coup led by Pervez Musharraf. Hussain remained a steadfast ally to Nawaz Sharif, eventually facing imprisonment for his opposition to the military regime. After an unsuccessful bid for a seat in the National Assembly in 2002, he was selected as the PML(N) nominee for the presidency in 2013. He won the indirect election with 432 votes and held the office until 8 September 2018.
Final Years
Following the completion of his presidency, Hussain remained active in public life until his health declined. He was diagnosed with cancer in February 2020 and received ongoing medical treatment. He passed away in Karachi on 14 July 2021, at the age of 80.
Fast facts
- Born: 1940, Agra
- Died: 14 July 2021, Karachi
- Education: University of Karachi, Institute of Business Administration
- President of Pakistan: 2013–2018
- Governor of Sindh: 1999
- Political Party: PML(N)
- Religion: Islam
Questions readers ask
What was Mamnoon Hussain's professional background before politics?
He was an entrepreneur who founded a textile company and served as the president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
How did his presidency conclude?
His five-year term as the 12th president of Pakistan ended on 8 September 2018.
