Attique Ahmed Khan

Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan is a Pakistani-Kashmiri politician who served as the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir twice between 24 July 2006 to 6 January 2009 and between 29 July 2010 till 26 July 2011. He also presides over All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference. He also served as the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition from 15 January 2009 to 22 October 2009 and has been elected 5 times as Member Legislative Assembly.

Political profile

President All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference – the oldest political party of the entire State of Jammu & Kashmir in its 80th year. Since 2002 unanimously elected consecutively for 3rd time (2002, 2006 & 2009) as 9th the President of the party. Elected 5 times as Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir since 1990. Elected first time as Prime Minister of Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir held this office from 24 July 2006 to 6 January 2009 Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition from 15 January 2009 to 22 October 2009. Re-elected 2nd time as Prime Minister by the same House which is a unique achievement in South Asian parliamentary practice on 29 July 2010 till 26 July 2011. As a political worker served as Chairman Youth & Students Wing (1984-1990) and later as Chief Organizer of the party (1992-2001). Introduced the concept of grassroot level political participation and consultation through formation of party units at polling stations level. As Chief Organizer of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (AJKMC) expanded the party platform for the minorities/non-Muslims for the first time in the State. Founder Chairman of Pakistan Assembly of Muslim Youth (PAMY) that included mainstream youth leadership of all parties.

Educational credentials

Master's degree in International Relations. Qualified 2-years Arabic language course from Islamic University of Madinah Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia

Literary and media credentials

• He currently writes a weekly column in major newspapers in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir focusing on the ideas of military democracy, civil military governance and other political issues.
• Freelance columnist of English and Urdu newspapers with special emphasis on socio-politico affairs. The ideas initiated in print media have been widely capitalized by readers of all shades of opinion with far-reaching creative results.
• An articulate communicator with deep insight in conflict management. Facile in spoken and written English, Arabic, Urdu, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Pahari, Hindku, Potohari dialects.
• A widely read political and social scholarly worker with deep insight in political, social, religious and economic affairs of the region/world.
• Lectured in institutes all over the world, several in National defense university of Pakistan and numerous in times in Staff College Quetta.
• Delivered longest speech in Azad Jammu & Kashmir assembly which was 5 hours long approx.

Views and thoughts

• He is the founder and visionary of the ideology "Military Democracy"(civil-military governance) designed to get efficient governance and decrease the chances of civil military political conflicts in Pakistan.
• Kashmiri Nation has all potential and all the human capability to be transformed into a progressive, moderate and prosperous welfare State. Harmony and co-existence between modern world and the Muslim world.
• Global peace and cohesion are achievable objectives.
• Political creed is that by promotion of humanism, conflicts come closer to solution and settlements.
• Strong believer and practitioner of peaceful religious co-existence.
• Welcomed moves in 2018 to declare Ahmadis non-Muslim ^[1]

International achievements

Ten points proposal presented to the United Nations-recognized OIC Foreign Ministers Conference Contact Group on Kashmir in UN HQ’s New York on 20–25 September 2006 delineating negotiated approach over Kashmir dispute which were adopted by the annual coordinating meeting of the 57-member countries of OIC. Led several political, humanitarian and diplomatic missions on sensitive regional issues to the World Forums/United Nations, Middle East, Europe, United States, Asia, Africa Acra (Ghana). Socio-Political Credentials : Elected 4th time as Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. As Prime Minister introduced and implemented social reforms providing social security guarantees to the socio-economically vulnerable segments of the society for the first time in Kashmir; introduced public-private economic partnership in the industrial sector, entrusted teaching at the elementary levels exclusively to the female teachers to ensure female representation in public sector at the grassroots level; encouraged social and economic roles by the international NGOs/organizations for the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK); got established for the first time Office of Asian Development Bank in AJK; took practical steps for the introduction of international tourism and tunnels trade and tourism, water and women sports; Introduced and institutionalized the vision of "Green and Skilled Kashmir" with special emphasis to create massive awareness among general public regarding global warming, environmental development, youth rehabilitation etc. Established various new State institutions like Kashmir Bank, Kashmir Highway Authority (KHA), Kashmir Cultural Academy, Social Rehabilitation Trust, Kashmir Tourism Development Authority, Technical and Vocational Education Authority, Small Dams Authority, etc. for the common good of the masses; ensured equal gender employment avenues to Kashmiri youth. For general public education, a chain of libraries at the sub-divisional level across AJK was initiated; For best water management/conservation small dams with public utility water channels were planned for the first time in AJK by my government; As Prime Minister promoted social harmony among various segments of the society by reenergizing the concept of econo-politico- religious cohesion/interdependence in globalized world by holding regular open weekly Friday congregational kutcheries; Encouraged democratic pluralism in the society. Introduced new democratic dimensions among Kashmiri youth as Chairman youth and students wing of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference by regularly holding elections and ensuring grassroots participation in policy making decisions.

Socio-political credentials

Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan has been elected as Member of Legislative Assembly of the State of Jammu and Kashmir for the fifth time so far, and it was on his 4th stint as Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) when he assumed the office of Prime Minister. As Prime Minister he promised to introduce the concept of public-private partnership in the society with exclusive emphasis on equal gender employment opportunities. Introduced and institutionalized the vision of "Green and Skilled Kashmir" with special emphasis to bring in awareness among general public on global warming, environmental development, youth rehabilitation etc.

Established various new State institutions for common good like Kashmir Bank, Kashmir Highway Authority (KHA), Kashmir Cultural Academy, Social Rehabilitation Trust, Kashmir Tourism Development Authority, Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) etc. offering equal gender employment avenues to Kashmiri youth.As Prime Minister promoted religious harmony among various segments of the society by reenergizing the concept of eco-politico and religious interdependence in globalized world by holding regular "Mosque Kutcheries." Refurbishment of party cadres on more democratic and liberal lines by introducing constitutional amendments, allowing extra lebensraum to women political activists.Introduced new democratic dimensions among Kashmiri youth as Chairman of youth and students wing of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference by regularly holding elections and ensuring grassroots participation in policy making decisions.

Literary and media credentials

Freelance columnist of English and Urdu newspapers with special emphasis on socio-politico affairs. The ideas initiated in print media have been widely capitalized by target audience with far reaching consequences. Participated in various seminars and conferences over socio-politico and religious affairs held worldwide.

References

• Interview with a Spanish paper