Faisal Subzwari

Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari (Urdu: سید فیصل علی سبزواری ; born 4 August 1975)^[2] is a Pakistani politician and senior leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (Khalid Maqbool Group). He was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh on the ticket of MQM-P in 2013 Pakistani general election and has served as the opposition leader in Sindh Assembly.^[3]

Faisal Subzwari
سید فیصل علی سبزواری
Faisal Subzwari in 2017
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs
In office 19 April 2022 – 10 August 2023
President	Arif Alvi
Prime Minister	Shehbaz Sharif
Preceded by	Ali Haider Zaidi
Member of Senate of Pakistan
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 May 2021
Leader of Opposition in Sindh Assembly
In office 2013 – 22 April 2014
Succeeded by	Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar
Personal details
Born	(1975-08-04) 4 August 1975 (age 49) Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Political party	MQM-P (2016-present)
Spouse	Madiha Naqvi[1]
Education	BBA in Finance MA in Economics
Alma mater	Preston Institute of Management Science and Technology University of Karachi

Political career

Faisal Subzwari started his political career as leader of All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation, the student wing of Muttahida Qaumi Movement. In 2002 Pakistani general election, he was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh on the ticket of MQM from Karachi.^[4]

Faisal Subzwari in 2006

In 2008 Pakistani general election, Faisal Subzwari was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh on the ticket of MQM from Karachi and served as minister of Youth Affairs in Government of Sindh^[5][6] as well was the deputy parliamentary leader of MQM in Sindh Assembly during the tenure.^[7]

After the 2013 Pakistani general election, Faisal Subzwari was again elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh on the ticket of MQM from Karachi and was made MQM's parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly. He has served as opposition leader.^[8][9] He was also the adviser to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Youth Affairs.^[10]

Faisal Subzwari was absent from politics since July 2015. Later, he tweeted he will join politics soon after his return to country. He was on holidays with his family in U.S.A.^[11]

Subzwari, who is usually vocal on the media, was in the US for sometime and his absence from the political scene had raised questions.^[12]

On 3 March 2021, he was elected as a member of Senate of Pakistan in 2021 Pakistani Senate election from Sindh.^[13]

Political background

Faisal Subzwari started his political career soon after completing his Higher Secondary Education. His uncle was a member of MQM (led by Mr Altaf Hussain) and was elected and served as a councillor from 1987 to 1992, He was allegedly detained by plainclothes police on 6 July 1995, however, the case was never officially taken up. In 1997, the family tried to lodge a First Information Report (FIR), but could not proceed against the police officer and was given a "cold shoulder".^[14]

Expulsion from MQM-London

In October 2016, after creation of MQM-Pakistan, Faisal Subzwari along with other party workers were expelled by MQM-London led by Altaf Hussain due to violation of party rules.^[15] He also refused to be recognised as a Muhajir on the Sindh Assembly floor,^[16] and supported a resolution for treason charges against MQM's founder and leader Altaf Hussain.^[17]

References

1. "TV anchor Madeha Naqvi marries MQM-P leader Faisal Sabzwari". www.thenews.com.pk. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
2. "Profile". Sindh Assembly. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
3. "Sindh Assembly: Sabzwari raises concerns about missing MQM workers". The Express Tribune. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
4. "Faisal Sabzwari". Dawn. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
5. "Joining opposition's fold: PML-F sets 3 conditions for support to MQM". The Express Tribune. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
6. "MQM manifesto meant to empower people: Haider Rizvi". The News. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
7. "Sindh lawmakers demand Army take over Quetta". Express Tribune. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
8. "MQM nominates opposition leader". The Express Tribune. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
9. "MQM, PML-F agree on Sabzwari's name". The Nation. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
10. "Karachi Youth Support Network launched". Daily Times. 27 August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
11. Ali, Rabia (8 August 2015). "Faisal Subzwari's absence from politics raises eyebrows". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
12. "Subzwari finally speaks, denies rumours of party split". The News International. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
13. "MQM-P, ANP, JUI-F celebrate Senate wins as 'victory of democracy'". The News International. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
14. Imtiaz, Saba (26 October 2011). "After 16 years, MQM MPA seeks justice for uncle's brutal murder". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
15. "Amir Khan, Faisal Sabzwari, Khawaja Izhar expelled by MQM-London". Dawn. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
16. "I am not Mohajir, was born in Pakistan: Faisal Sabzwari". Geo News. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
17. Ashraf, Zubair; Tunio, Hafeez (21 September 2016). "MQM resolution calls for trying Altaf for treason". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 4 January 2023.