Siraj ul Haq: Profile of new Amir elect of Jam‘at-i Islami
Islamabad: Siraj ul Haq has been announced as winner of elections for Amir Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Pakistan. He will be 5th Amir of JI. First Amir was founder of the party Abul Ala Maududi . Mian Tufail Muhammad was second Amir, while Qazi Hussain Ahmed was thrid Amir. Syed Munawar Hassan was elected as fouth Amir and now Amaarat is going to Siraj ul Haq.
He defeated sitting Amir Syed Munawar Hassan and Secretary General Liaqat Baloch. JI is the only political party in Pakistan that goes for democratic process of party elections after every five years. Sitting Amir Munawar Hassan is the only Amir that got one tenure because former Amirs including late Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Mian Tufail had re-elected for next terms. One of the apparent reasons for losing election of Munawar Hassan is his sharp and erratic behaviour because he is very stiff and harsh for his opponents and friends.
Siraj ul Haq was born on September 5, 1962) Samar Bagh, district Dir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. He played an active role in student politics in the late 1980s. He also elected all Pakistan presidents of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba in 1988 and 1991.
Siraj al-Haq is known for his simplicity and restless spirit for the spread of the message. He did his graduation from the Degree College Taimar Garah, followed by a bachelor degree in education, and masters from Peshawar University. He associated himself with the Islami Jami‘at-i Talbah as a teenager and later became its nāzim a‘lā (president) in 1998.
After his masters, he became the member of the Jam‘at-i Islami followed by his elevation to secretary general of his province.
October 2002 election saw him as senior minister of the MMA government in the province. His performance as a minister in the provincial cabinet won him respect from all sections of society.
April 2009, Amīr Jam‘at-i Islami appointed him as na’ib amīr (vice president).
Siraj al-Haq is a forceful speaker in Urdu and Pashtu. He can also manage himself well in English, Persian, and Arabic. He has travelled extensively in the Middle East.
