Baligh Ur Rehman
{{short description|39th Governor of Punjab, Pakistan}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman
| image = Balig ur Rehman.jpg
| office = 41st Governor of Punjab
| term_start = 30 May 2022
| term_end = 10 May 2024
| president = Arif Alvi
Asif Ali Zardari
| primeminister = Shehbaz Sharif
Anwaar ul Haq Kakar
Shehbaz Sharif
| predecessor = Omer Sarfraz Cheema
| successor = Sardar Saleem Haider Khan
| appointer = Arif Alvi
| office1 = Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training
| term_start1 = 7 June 2013
| term_end1 = 28 July 2017
| president1 = Mamnoon Hussain
| primeminister1 = Nawaz Sharif
| office2 = Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control
| term_start2 = 22 November 2013
| term_end2 = 28 July 2017
| president2 = Mamnoon Hussain
| primeminister2 = Nawaz Sharif
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1970|12|21}}{{cite web|title=Detail Information|url=http://www.pildat.org/mna/rsDetail.asp?detid=185|accessdate=11 July 2017|date=19 April 2014|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419124930/http://www.pildat.org/mna/rsDetail.asp?detid=185|archivedate=19 April 2014}}
| nationality = Pakistani
| otherparty = PMLN (2008-2024)
| party = AP (2025-present)
| office3 = Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training
| term_end3 = 31 May 2018
| term_start3 = 4 August 2017
| primeminister3 = Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
| president3 = Mamnoon Hussain
| successor3 = Mohammad Yousuf Shaikh
| birth_place = Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
| 1blankname = Chief Minister
| 1namedata = Hamza Shahbaz
Mohsin Naqvi (caretaker)
Maryam Nawaz
| native_name = {{nq|محمد بلیغ الرحمٰن}}
| relations = Qazi Adnan Fareed (cousin)
}}
Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman ({{Langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|محمد بلیغ الرحمن}}}}; born 21 December 1970) is a Pakistani politician who served as the 42nd Governor of Punjab, he served in office from 30 May 2022 till 10 May 2024.
In 2022 he was appointed by President Arif Alvi, on advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.{{Cite web |title=President Alvi approves Baligh Ur Rehman's appointment as governor Punjab |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/419808-president-alvi-approves-baligh-ur-rehmans-appointment-as-governor-punjab |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=PPP finalises Sardar Saleem Haider, Faisal Karim Kundi for Punjab, KP governorship |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/542349-ppp-finalises-sardar-saleem-haider-faisal-karim-kundi-for-punjab-kp-governorship |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}} He had taken the oath of Governor of Punjab on 30 May 2022, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Muhammad Ameer Bhatti administered his oath. Previously he served as the Minister of State Federal Education and of Interior and Narcotics Control between 2013 and 2017. He had been a member of the National Assembly from 2008 to May 2018.
After assuming the charge of Governor he automatically became the Chancellor of the public sector universities of the Punjab, Pakistan.
Early life and education
Baligh Ur Rehman was born on 21 December 1970 in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
His father Muhammad Aqil-ur-Rehman was Member of National Assembly during 1997-99 while his cousin Qazi Adnan Fareed is also a politician.{{Cite web |title=Profile |url=https://www.pap.gov.pk/members/profile/en/20/1108 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725192226/https://www.pap.gov.pk/members/profile/en/20/1108 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |website=Provincial Assembly of the Punjab}}
He was initially educated at the Sadiq Public School, where he passed O Level with a Gold Medal and later completed his FSc, before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania as an electrical engineer in 1994.{{Cite web |title=Governor's profile |url=https://governorhouse.punjab.gov.pk/the-governor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716181202/https://governorhouse.punjab.gov.pk/the-governor |archive-date=16 July 2023 |website=Government of Punjab, Pakistan}}
Political career
Baligh was elected as the member of the National Assembly of Pakistan for the first time in 2008 Pakistani general election from Constituency NA-185 on PML-N ticket.{{cite web | url=http://www.geo.tv/election2008/result/na185.htmll | title=Election Results 2008 | publisher=Geo TV | accessdate=26 June 2014 | url-status=bot: unknown | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430003125/http://www.geo.tv/election2008/result/na185.htmll | archivedate=30 April 2008 }}{{cite news|title=Bahawalpur profile: In the land of the nawabs – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/546833/district-profile-in-the-land-of-the-nawabs/|accessdate=12 April 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=10 May 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306211548/https://tribune.com.pk/story/546833/district-profile-in-the-land-of-the-nawabs/|archivedate=6 March 2017}}{{cite news|title=Nawabs of Bahawalpur to play vital role in next general elections|url=http://nation.com.pk/national/03-Dec-2012/nawabs-of-bahawalpur-to-play-vital-role-in-next-general-elections|accessdate=12 April 2017|work=The Nation|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409111038/http://nation.com.pk/national/03-Dec-2012/nawabs-of-bahawalpur-to-play-vital-role-in-next-general-elections|archivedate=9 April 2017}}
He was elected as the member of the National Assembly for the second time on PML-N ticket from NA-185 in 2013 Pakistani general election.{{cite news|title=138 MNAs either paid no income tax, or FBR has no such data|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/631317-138-mnas-either-paid-no-income-tax,-or-fbr-has-no-such-data|accessdate=2 February 2017|work=www.thenews.com.pk|date=24 June 2013|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203161224/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/631317-138-mnas-either-paid-no-income-tax,-or-fbr-has-no-such-data|archivedate=3 February 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Correspondent|first1=The Newspaper's|title=Ex-PML-N MPA held in fake degree case|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1042754|accessdate=12 April 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=14 September 2013|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412224640/https://www.dawn.com/news/1042754|archivedate=12 April 2017}}
In June 2013, he was appointed as Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training.{{cite web | url=http://www.nation.com.pk/national/07-Jun-2013/25-member-federal-cabinet-sworn-in | title=Sworn in as Minister of State | publisher=Nation PK | date=7 June 2013 | accessdate=26 June 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210145811/http://www.nation.com.pk/national/07-Jun-2013/25-member-federal-cabinet-sworn-in | archivedate=10 February 2014 }}{{cite news|title=Sharif's 25-member cabinet takes oath|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1016686|accessdate=12 April 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=7 June 2013|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227063804/https://www.dawn.com/news/1016686|archivedate=27 February 2017}}{{cite news|title=Federal cabinet unveiled: Enter the ministers – The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/560553/federal-cabinet-unveiled-enter-the-ministers/|accessdate=12 April 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=8 June 2013|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226212957/https://tribune.com.pk/story/560553/federal-cabinet-unveiled-enter-the-ministers/|archivedate=26 February 2017}}
In November 2013, he was given the additional charge of Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control in the cabinet of Nawaz Sharif.{{cite news|title=Minister Baligh assumes additional charge in Interior Ministry|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/468288-minister-baligh-assumes-additional-charge-in-interior-ministry|accessdate=12 April 2017|work=www.thenews.com.pk|date=22 November 2013|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071442/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/468288-minister-baligh-assumes-additional-charge-in-interior-ministry|archivedate=13 April 2017}}{{cite news|last1=Reporter|first1=The Newspaper's Staff|title=Tariq Fazal sworn in as minister of state|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1221860|accessdate=12 April 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=24 November 2015|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304040042/https://www.dawn.com/news/1221860|archivedate=4 March 2017}} He had ceased to hold ministerial office in July 2017 when the federal cabinet was disbanded following the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after Panama Papers case decision.{{cite news|title=PM Nawaz Sharif steps down; federal cabinet stands dissolved|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pm-nawaz-gives-up-his-post-federal-cabinet-stands-dissolved/|accessdate=28 July 2017|work=Daily Pakistan Global|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728114411/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pm-nawaz-gives-up-his-post-federal-cabinet-stands-dissolved/|archivedate=28 July 2017}} Following the election of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2017, he was inducted into the federal cabinet of Abbasi.{{cite news|title=A 43-member new cabinet sworn in|url=https://www.app.com.pk/a-43-member-new-cabinet-sworn-in/|accessdate=4 August 2017|work=Associated Press Of Pakistan|date=4 August 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804174456/https://www.app.com.pk/a-43-member-new-cabinet-sworn-in/|archivedate=4 August 2017}}{{cite news|title=PM Khaqan Abbasi's 43-member cabinet takes oath today|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/08/04/new-federal-cabinet-ministers-take-oath-today/|accessdate=4 August 2017|publisher=Pakistan Today|date=4 August 2017}} He was elevated as federal minister and given the portfolio of Federal Minister of Education and Professional Training, serving in that capacity until the term of the National Assembly ended on 31 May 2018.{{cite news|last1=Raza|first1=Syed Irfan|title=PM Abbasi's bloated cabinet sworn in|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1349710/pm-abbasis-bloated-cabinet-sworn-in|accessdate=5 August 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=5 August 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805040859/https://www.dawn.com/news/1349710/pm-abbasis-bloated-cabinet-sworn-in|archivedate=5 August 2017}}{{cite web |title=Notification |url=http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/userfiles1/file/fm-mos-noti-01-06-2018.pdf |publisher=Cabinet division |accessdate=1 June 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601180526/http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/userfiles1/file/fm-mos-noti-01-06-2018.pdf |archivedate=1 June 2018}}
Governor of Punjab (2022-2024)
On 30 May 2022, he was appointed as the 39th Governor of Punjab by President Arif Alvi.{{Cite web |title=President Alvi approves Baligh Ur Rehman's appointment as Punjab governor|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/419808-president-alvi-approves-baligh-ur-rehmans-appointment-as-governor-punjab |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}} On 22 December, Governor Baligh Ur Rehman denotified Chief Minister of Punjab, Chaudhary Parvez Elahi from his position, citing his failure to take a vote of confidence from the Provincial Assembly, which the Governor had requested, as the reason for the denotification.{{Cite web |title=Parvez Elahi denotified as chief minister |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1022743-punjab-cabinet-stands-dissolved-as-parvez-elahi-denotified |accessdate=20 March 2023 |website=www.thenews.com.pk}} However, Elahi was restored by the Lahore High Court on 23 December 2022. Chief Minister of Punjab, Parvez Elahi dissolved the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in January 2023, on Imran Khan’s orders, following this, Baligh Ur Rehman opted not to intervene in the dissolution process and stated he would “let the constitution take its course.”{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=BR Web |date=2023-01-14 |title=Punjab governor decides ‘to not become part of’ assembly’s dissolution process |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40220212 |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=Brecorder |language=en}} Baligh Ur Rehman retained the position of Governor until he was replaced by President Asif Ali Zardari with Sardar Saleem Haider Khan in May 2024.
References
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{{succession box
| title = Governor of Punjab
| years = 30 May 2022 - Present
| before = Omer Sarfraz Cheema
| after = Vacant
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Governors of Punjab, Pakistan}}
{{Sharif III Cabinet}}
{{Abbasi Cabinet}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baligh Ur Rehman, Muhammad}}
Category:Governors of Punjab, Pakistan
Category:Pakistani MNAs 2008–2013
Category:Pakistani MNAs 2013–2018
Category:Sadiq Public School alumni
Category:Education ministers of Pakistan
Category:Pakistan Muslim League (N) politicians
Category:University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science alumni