Sadiq Hussain Qureshi
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Nawab Sadiq Hussain Qureshi (July 25 1927 – 20th June 2000) was a Pakistani politician who served as both Governor and Chief Minister of Punjab under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1970’s. A close aid of Mr. Bhutto during his time in power, he retired from all active politics after the government’s removal by the army in 1977.
He was born in the Indian hill station town of Shimla, although his family belongs to Multan. He is a direct descendant of the city’s famous saint Baha uddin Zakria from his father’s side. Educated at Aitchison College, Lahore (then known as chief’s college) he was forced into responsibility at a young age after his father was killed. At the time Sadiq was only 20 years old.
Belonging to one of Pakistan’s largest land owning families it was natural that he was to pursue a career as an agriculturalist. At one time the single largest land owner in Pakistan, he turned his attention to politics in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Starting on the district council level as a vice chairman, he rose through the political ranks, being elected as an MPA, an MNA and then being appointed advisor to the Governor. He assumed the post of Agriculture minister Punjab in 1971. A member of the Pakistan People’s Party he was hand picked by Prime Minister Bhutto as Governor of the Punjab, a post he held from Nov 1973 to March 1975. He was then elevated to the position of Chief Minister Punjab, where he served till the imposition of Martial law in July 1977.
As well as his political posts, Nawab Sadiq Hussain Qureshi also held office as the president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation from 1971- 1976. During his time Pakistan won the first field hockey world cup in Spain (1971), finished runners up to India in the same tournament in Malaysia (1975), claimed a silver medal at the Munich Olympic Games (1972) and a bronze at Montreal (1976).
After the ouster of the Bhutto government in 1977, Nawab Sadiq Hussain Qureshi retired from active politics. He owned the Pepsi Cola factory in Lahore until the mid 1980’s and after selling that concentrated on his land holdings in Multan. Despite offers during his later years he never held an elected office or participated in active politics again, staying true to Mr. Bhutto till the end.
Tall, handsome and always impeccably dressed he was widely respected by all in Pakistani society. A loving family man, he had 3 sons and a daughter. He died at Lahore in June 2000.
He was a widely respected figure even after his death, especially in his native Multan and the province of Punjab, both of whom he served with great distinction throughout his life.
