Shahid Khaqan Abbasi assumed the office of Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2017, serving until May 2018. A seasoned politician and trained electrical engineer, he has navigated the complexities of Pakistani governance through multiple decades, holding legislative seats across eight non-consecutive terms and directing major state-run enterprises during a turbulent career in public service.
Early Education and Engineering Career
Born in 1958 in Karachi, Abbasi pursued technical training before entering the political arena. He attended Lawrence College in Murree and later completed a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1978. He subsequently earned a master's degree in the same field from George Washington University in 1985. His early professional life involved working as an electrical engineer in the United States and Saudi Arabia, where he gained experience in the oil and gas energy sector.
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Abbasi entered politics following the 1988 death of his father, Khaqan Abbasi. Running as an independent candidate, he secured a seat in the National Assembly representing Rawalpindi at age 30. Over the following decades, he aligned with the Pakistan Muslim League-N and secured multiple parliamentary victories. He served as the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Defence during the early 1990s and held the position of chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Defence during a later term.
Ministerial Roles and Prime Ministership
In 2013, Abbasi was appointed Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, a role he maintained until 2017. Following the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif due to the Panama Papers case, the National Assembly elected Abbasi as the 21st Prime Minister of Pakistan. His administration focused on national governance until the conclusion of his term in 2018. Beyond his ministerial duties, he has contributed to various political entities, including the Pakistan Democratic Movement and the Awaam Pakistan party.
Corporate Management and Legal Challenges
In 1997, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed Abbasi as the Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines. He served in this capacity until the 1999 coup d'état led by General Pervez Musharraf. Following the coup, Abbasi faced legal scrutiny, including involvement in a high-profile plane hijacking case. He remained incarcerated for two years before receiving a court acquittal in 2001. Later, he also navigated legal proceedings regarding allegations of corruption related to computer purchases at the airline, resulting in an acquittal in 2008.
Fast facts
- Born: 27 December 1958, Karachi
- Education: University of California, Los Angeles; George Washington University
- Profession: Electrical engineer, businessperson, politician
- Prime Minister of Pakistan: 2017–2018
- Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources: 2013–2017
- Party affiliation: Pakistan Muslim League-N, Awaam Pakistan
- Religion: Islam
Questions readers ask
What is Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's educational background?
He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master's degree in the same field from George Washington University.
Did Abbasi hold any roles outside of parliament?
Yes, he served as the Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines from 1997 to 1999 and worked as an electrical engineer in the oil and gas industry.
