Fawad Chaudhry
{{Short description|Pakistani politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Fawad Chaudhry
| honorific-suffix =
| image = Fawad Chaudhry 2018 VOA.jpg
| office1 = Minister for Information and Broadcasting
| term_start1 = 14 April 2021
| term_end1 = 10 April 2022
| predecessor1 = Shibli Faraz
| successor1 = Marriyum Aurangzeb
| term_start2 = 20 August 2018
| term_end2 = 18 April 2019
| predecessor2 = Maryam Aurangzeb
| successor2 = Firdous Ashiq Awan as Special Assistant
| president2 = Arif Alvi
| primeminister2 = Imran Khan
| office3 = Minister for Science and Technology
| president3 = Arif Alvi
| primeminister3 = Imran Khan
| term_start3 = 18 April 2019
| term_end3 = 14 April 2021
| predecessor3 = Azam Swati
| successor3 = Shibli Faraz
| office5 = Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Political Affairs
| term_start5 = April 2012
| term_end5 = April 2013
| president5 = Asif Ali Zardari
| primeminister5 = Yusuf Raza Gillani
| office6 = Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
| termstart6 = 13 August 2018
| majority6 = 10,607
| constituency6 = NA-67 (Jhelum-II)
| predecessor6 = Nawabzada Raja Matloob Mehdi
| nationality = Pakistani
| party = IPP (2023-present)
| otherparty = PTI (2016–2023)
PML(Q) (2013–2016)
PPP (2012–2013)
APML (2010–2012)
PML(Q) (2002–2008)
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan
| relatives = Chaudhry Mohammad Awais (grandfather)
Chaudhry Altaf Hussain (uncle){{cite news |title=A Potohari family album ‹ The Friday Times |url=http://www.thefridaytimes.com/tft/a-potohari-family-album/ |access-date=19 August 2018 |work=The Friday Times}}
Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain (uncle)
Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain (uncle)
Chaudhry Farrukh Altaf (cousin)
| termend6 = 17 January 2023
| deputy =
| deputy1 = Farrukh Habib (State Minister)
}}
Fawad Ahmed Hussain Chaudhry ({{Langx|ur|{{nq|فواداحمد حسین چوہدری}}}}) is a Pakistani politician who served as federal minister for Information and Broadcasting, in office since 14 April 2021 to 10 April 2022.{{Cite web|last=Dawn.com|date=2021-04-15|title=Fawad Chaudhry appointed information minister a second time|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1618383|access-date=2021-05-04|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}} On 24 May 2023 announced he is taking "break" from politics.
Previously, he held the office of federal minister for Science and Technology from 19 April 2019 to 16 April 2021. He had been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from August 2018 till January 2023. He was a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's core committee from 4 June 2019 till 24 May 2023.
Previously, he has also served in the federal cabinet of prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf as special assistant for Information and Political Affairs respectively, between April 2012 and March 2013.
Early life
Fawad was born in Ladhar, a village near Dina in the Jhelum District of Punjab, where he still resides.{{Cite web |last=Asghar |first=Hamid |date=20 June 2024 |title=PTI leadership responsible for Imran, Bushra’s sufferings, says Fawad |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1840704 |website=Dawn News |quote=He was talking to journalists at his residence in Ladhar near Dina (...)}} He belongs to a politically active Punjabi Jat family of the Vains (also spelled Bains) clan, his uncle Chaudhry Altaf Hussain being appointed Governor of Punjab twice while another uncle Chaudhary Iftikhar Hussain has served as Chief Justice of Lahore High Court.{{cite news |last=Warraich |first=Suhail |date=2 August 2018 |title=Choosing right man for Punjab CM real test for Imran |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/349505-choosing-right-man-for-punjab-cm-real-test-for-imran |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106153727/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/349505-choosing-right-man-for-punjab-cm-real-test-for-imran |archive-date=6 November 2024 |access-date= |work=The News International |language=en |quote=The other big name for the CM slot is of Chaudhry Fawad Husain, a Vains Jat, though relatively young yet energetic. He is lawyer by profession but tasted politics in his teen days while living in the Governor’s House Lahore where his legendary uncle Ch Altaf Hussain ruled the roost. Another uncle Chaudhry Iftikhar Hussain remained a strong Chief Justice of Lahore High Court.}}
He is lawyer by profession and has worked as a political analyst and an anchor for several media organizations.{{cite news |title=The Prime Minister's Cabinet |url=http://newslinemagazine.com/magazine/the-prime-ministers-cabinet/ |access-date=19 September 2018 |work=Newsline |date=18 September 2018}}
Political career
=Early career in different parties=
Fawad was covering candidate for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as an independent candidate from Constituency PP-25 (Jhelum-II) in 2002 Pakistani general election. As a backup candidate, He supported candidate Chaudhry Tasneem Nasir, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q) who received 38,626 votes.{{cite web |title=2002 election results |url=https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ge/ge2002vol2.pdf |publisher=ECP |access-date=28 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126141507/https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ge/ge2002vol2.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
Fawad joined former President Pervez Musharraf as his spokesperson in 2009, later he was appointed General Secy. of Pervez Musharraf APML Punjab Chapter. In January 2012, he resigned as media coordinator of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML).{{cite news |title=Musharraf's former mediaman joins PPP {{!}} The Express Tribune |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/347357/musharrafs-former-mediaman-switches-over-to-ppp/ |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=9 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728074245/https://tribune.com.pk/story/347357/musharrafs-former-mediaman-switches-over-to-ppp/ |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In March 2012, he quit APML and joined Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).{{cite news |title=Ex-APML spokesman Fawad Chaudhry joins PPP |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/03/09/ex-apml-spokesman-fawad-chaudhry-joins-ppp/ |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=www.pakistantoday.com.pk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071153/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/03/09/ex-apml-spokesman-fawad-chaudhry-joins-ppp/ |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In April 2012, he was inducted into the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and was appointed special assistant to Prime Minister for information and political affairs with the status of a minister of state{{cite news |last1=Newspaper |first1=the |title=Gilani appoints Fawad Chaudhry as assistant |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/714461 |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=30 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071124/https://www.dawn.com/news/714461 |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} where he continued to serve until June 2012 when{{cite web |title=Federal cabinet of Prime Minister Gillani |url=http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/cabinet/userfiles1/file/Info%20serveces/Federal%20Cabinet%20since%201947/12%20april%20updated/Federal%20Cabinet%20of%20Syed%20Yousaf%20Raza%20Gillani,%20Latest_doc.pdf |publisher=Cabinet division |access-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505115247/http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/cabinet/userfiles1/file/Info%20serveces/Federal%20Cabinet%20since%201947/12%20april%20updated/Federal%20Cabinet%20of%20Syed%20Yousaf%20Raza%20Gillani,%20Latest_doc.pdf |archive-date=5 May 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} the federal cabinet was dissolved following the disqualification of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani.{{cite news |title=Federal Cabinet stands dissolved after Gilani's disqualification: PPP |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/46593-federal-cabinet-stands-dissolved-after-gilanis-disqualification-ppp |access-date=2 August 2018 |work=Geo News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802155038/https://www.geo.tv/latest/46593-federal-cabinet-stands-dissolved-after-gilanis-disqualification-ppp |archive-date=2 August 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In July 2012, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf was elected Prime Minister{{cite news |title=Raja Pervaiz Ashraf elected prime minister, new cabinet sworn in |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/728608 |access-date=2 August 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=22 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203143916/https://www.dawn.com/news/728608 |archive-date=3 February 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} and Chaudhry was re-inducted into the federal cabinet. He was appointed Special Assistant for Prime Minister on Political Affairs{{cite news |title=Fawad made special assistant to PM |url=https://nation.com.pk/15-Jul-2012/fawad-made-special-assistant-to-pm |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=The Nation |date=15 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071328/https://nation.com.pk/15-Jul-2012/fawad-made-special-assistant-to-pm |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} where he served until March 2013.{{cite web |title=Federal cabinet of Prime Minister Ashraf |url=http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/cabinet/userfiles1/file/Info%20serveces/Federal%20Cabinet%20since%201947/12%20april%20updated/Federal%20Cabinet%20of%20Raja%20Pervez%20Asharaf.pdf |publisher=Cabinet division |access-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072305/http://www.cabinet.gov.pk/cabinet/userfiles1/file/Info%20serveces/Federal%20Cabinet%20since%201947/12%20april%20updated/Federal%20Cabinet%20of%20Raja%20Pervez%20Asharaf.pdf |archive-date=23 January 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
He ran for the seat of the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of PML-Quaid from NA-63 (Jhelum-II) in 2013 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful. He received 34,072 votes and lost the seat to Malik Iqbal Mehdi Khan. In the same election, he also ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as an backup candidate from Constituency PP-24 (Jhelum-I) but was unsuccessful. He received only 82 votes and lost the seat to Raja Muhammad Awais Khan.{{cite web |title=2013 election results |url=https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202013%20report/Election%20Report%202013%20Volume-II.pdf |publisher=ECP |access-date=28 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201140612/https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202013%20report/Election%20Report%202013%20Volume-II.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} He Joined PTI in 2016 and his role as Party spokesperson made him a star. He was main voice of PTI during Panama Case and later became most powerful voice of the Party.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
= With Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf =
In June 2016, he joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).{{cite news |title=Prominent TV anchor Fawad Chaudhry joins PTI - ARYNEWS |url=https://arynews.tv/en/prominent-tv-anchor-fawad-chaudhry-joins-pti/ |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=ARYNEWS |date=8 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071430/https://arynews.tv/en/prominent-tv-anchor-fawad-chaudhry-joins-pti/ |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |title=Fawad Chaudhry joins PTI, will contest NA- 63 Jhelum by-polls |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/fawad-chaudhry-joins-pti-will-contest-na-63-jhelum-by-polls/ |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=Daily Pakistan Global |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071505/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/fawad-chaudhry-joins-pti-will-contest-na-63-jhelum-by-polls/ |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
He ran for the seat of the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI from Constituency Constituency NA-63 (Jhelum-II) in by-election held in August 2016 but was unsuccessful. He received 74,819 votes and lost the seat to Nawabzada Raja Matloob Mehdi.{{cite news |title=PML-N wins NA-63, PP-232 by-elections |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/146722-PML-Ns-Yousuf-Kuseliya-wins-PP-232-by-elections |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=The News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305114224/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/146722-PML-Ns-Yousuf-Kuseliya-wins-PP-232-by-elections |archive-date=5 March 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
In November 2016, he was appointed the spokesperson of PTI.{{cite news |title=PTI appoints Fawad Chaudhry as party spokesperson {{!}} The Express Tribune |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1241624/pti-appoints-fawad-chaudhry-party-spokesperson/ |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728074200/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1241624/pti-appoints-fawad-chaudhry-party-spokesperson/ |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In March 2018, he was given the additional charge of Secretary Information of PTI after the resignation of Mr. Shafqat Mahmood.{{cite news |title=Vocal Fawad made PTI info secretary |url=https://nation.com.pk/13-Feb-2018/vocal-fawad-made-pti-info-secretary |access-date=2 August 2018 |work=The Nation |date=13 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413190755/https://nation.com.pk/13-Feb-2018/vocal-fawad-made-pti-info-secretary |archive-date=13 April 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |title=PTI appoints Fawad Chaudhry as information secretary |url=https://arynews.tv/en/pti-appoints-fawad-chaudhry-information-secretary/ |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=ARYNEWS |date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071517/https://arynews.tv/en/pti-appoints-fawad-chaudhry-information-secretary/ |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |title=Fawad Chaudhry appointed as Secretary Information PTI - Pakistan - Dunya News |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/427466-Fawad-Chuadhry-appointed-as-Secretary-Information-PTI- |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=Dunya News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212194339/http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/427466-Fawad-Chuadhry-appointed-as-Secretary-Information-PTI- |archive-date=12 February 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
In June 2018, he was allocated PTI ticket to contest the 2018 Pakistani general election from Constituency NA-67 (Jhelum-II).{{cite news |title=PTI finalises 85 NA candidates of Punjab |url=https://nation.com.pk/04-Jun-2018/pti-finalises-85-na-candidates-of-punjab |access-date=2 August 2018 |work=The Nation |date=4 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604115136/https://nation.com.pk/04-Jun-2018/pti-finalises-85-na-candidates-of-punjab |archive-date=4 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} An election tribunal rejected the nomination papers of Chaudhry after a petition was filed claiming Fawad had not paid agriculture tax.{{cite news |title=PTI's Fawad Chaudhry barred from contesting polls |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/334409-pti-leader-fawad-chaudhrys-nomination-papers-rejected |access-date=2 August 2018 |work=The News |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627112745/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/334409-pti-leader-fawad-chaudhrys-nomination-papers-rejected |archive-date=27 June 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} The Lahore High Court allowed Chaudhry to contest the election after he filed an appeal in high court against the election tribunal's decision.{{cite news |title=PTI's Fawad Chaudhry allowed to contest from NA-67 |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/201088-ptis-fawad-chaudhry-allowed-to-contest-from-na-67 |access-date=2 August 2018 |work=Geo News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730140351/https://www.geo.tv/latest/201088-ptis-fawad-chaudhry-allowed-to-contest-from-na-67 |archive-date=30 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |title=LHC overturns election tribunal decision, allows Fawad to contest polls {{!}} The Express Tribune |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1744772/1-lhc-overturns-election-tribunal-decision-allows-fawad-contest-polls/ |access-date=2 August 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705055533/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1744772/1-lhc-overturns-election-tribunal-decision-allows-fawad-contest-polls/ |archive-date=5 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
He was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-67 (Jhelum-II) in 2018 general election. He received 93,102 votes and defeated Nawabzada Raja Matloob Mehdi, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).{{cite web |title=ECP - Election Commission of Pakistan |url=https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ConstResult.aspx?Const_Id=NA-67&type=NA&Election_ID=10070&Election=GENERAL%20ELECTION%2025%20JUL%202018 |website=www.ecp.gov.pk |access-date=28 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802155041/https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ConstResult.aspx?Const_Id=NA-67&type=NA&Election_ID=10070&Election=GENERAL%20ELECTION%2025%20JUL%202018 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} In the same election, he was also elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PTI from Constituency PP-27 (Jhelum-III). He received 67,003 votes and defeated Nasir Mehmood, a candidate of PML-N.{{cite web |title=ECP - Election Commission of Pakistan |url=https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ConstResult.aspx?Const_Id=PP-27&type=PA&Election_ID=10070&Election=GENERAL%20ELECTION%2025%20JUL%202018 |website=www.ecp.gov.pk |access-date=28 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802155040/https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ConstResult.aspx?Const_Id=PP-27&type=PA&Election_ID=10070&Election=GENERAL%20ELECTION%2025%20JUL%202018 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }} Following his successful election, he expressed interest to become the Chief Ministers of Punjab in a TV talk show.{{cite news |title=Fawad Chaudhry says would be 'great honour' if Imran Khan names him CM Punjab |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/204996-fawad-chaudhry |access-date=28 July 2018 |publisher=Geo News |date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071245/https://www.geo.tv/latest/204996-fawad-chaudhry |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite news |title=PTI's Fawad Chaudhry wishes to become Punjab CM |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/ptis-fawad-chaudhry-wishes-to-become-punjab-cm/ |access-date=28 July 2018 |work=Daily Pakistan Global |date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728071906/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/ptis-fawad-chaudhry-wishes-to-become-punjab-cm/ |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}
On 18 August 2018, Imran Khan formally announced his federal cabinet structure and Chaudhry was named as Minister for Information and Broadcasting.{{cite news |title=PM Imran Khan finalises names of 21-member cabinet |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1427792/pm-imran-khan-finalises-names-of-21-member-cabinet |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=18 August 2018}} On 20 August 2018, he was appointed Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan.{{cite news |title=16 ministers from PM Imran Khan's cabinet sworn in |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1428169/16-ministers-from-pm-imran-khans-cabinet-sworn-in |access-date=20 August 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=20 August 2018}}
In April 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a major reshuffle of the federal cabinet and Chaudhry was removed as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting.{{cite news |title=Fawad Chaudhry, other ministers sacked from posts: sources |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/459704-fawad-chaudhry-resigns-as-information-minister |access-date=28 May 2019 |work=www.thenews.com.pk |date=18 April 2019 |language=en}} He was subsequently appointed Federal Minister for Science and Technology.{{cite news |title=PM appoints Hafeez Sheikh finance adviser amid major cabinet reshuffle |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/234600-fawad-chaudhry-removed-as-information-minister-sources |access-date=28 May 2019 |work=www.geo.tv}}{{cite news |title=PM Imran reshuffles cabinet less than one year into government |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1476954 |access-date=28 May 2019 |work=DAWN.COM |date=18 April 2019 |language=en}}
== Resignation from the National Assembly ==
On 10 April 2022, due to the removal of Imran Khan's government by vote of no confidence, he resigned from the National Assembly on the orders of Imran Khan. The newly elected Speaker accepted the resignations of eleven members on 28 July 2022, one of them was Fawad Chaudhry. After the 09/05 vandalism of Army installations, PTI members and leadership, were arrested en-masse.
= Leaving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf =
On 24 May 2023, Fawad Chaudhry decided to leave the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. He publicly announced his retirement from "active politics" and parted ways with Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf, resigning from both his held positions within the party and basic party membership.{{Cite web |author=Web Desk |date=2023-05-26 |title=45 Members Left in the recent wave of Departures from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) |url=https://lifeinpakistan.net/45-members-left-in-the-recent-wave-of-departures-from-pakistan-tehreek-e-insaf-pti/ |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Life In Pakistan |language=en-US}}
Journalistic career
He hosted Khabar Kay Pechay on Neo News. In March 2015 he took an interview of Syed Mustafa Kamal.{{Citation|last=Talky Point|title=Khabar Kay Pechay Fawad Chaudhary Kay Saath 17 March 2016 Mustafa Kamal Expose MQM & RAW|date=2016-03-14|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZHrvk0_yl8|access-date=2019-06-07}}
Controversies and Criticism
= Moon sighting controversy =
In May 2019, Chaudhry launched Pakistan's first official moon-sighting website and issued five-year lunar calendar based on scientific readings of the moon’s movement in a bid to end Pakistan's moon-sighting controversy, however his move was severely criticized by the religious clerics. He is criticized for preferring far left polemic over objective dialogue with legal experts in classical universities.{{cite news |title=Fawad puts an end to Eid controversy |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/401403/fawad-puts-an-end-to-eid-controversy/ |access-date=28 May 2019 |work=Daily Times |date=26 May 2019}} During another controversy Fawad Chaudhry slapped Bol News anchor Mubashir Luqman.{{cite news |title=Fawad Chaudhry slaps TV host over Tik Tok star allegation |url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1609051/pakistan |website=arabnews.pk |date=2020-01-06 |access-date=2023-05-30}}
= Sedition case =
On 24 January 2023, he was arrested on allegations of threatening senior members of Pakistan Election Commission and their families in order to desist from their duties according to Islamabad police.{{Cite web |last=Bilal |first=Dawn com {{!}} Shakeel Qarar {{!}} Rana |date=2023-01-25 |title=PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry ‘arrested from his house’ in Lahore for sedition |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1733520 |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} An FIR (No 69/23) was registered against the PTI leader under sections 153-A, 506, 505 and 124-A of PPC on the complaint of Secretary ECP Omar Hamid Khan, saying the accused used threatening language against the commission and its members. Speaking to the media and people, the accused, Fawad Chaudhry, threatened the ECP members and their families, the FIR stated.{{Cite web |title=Sedition case: Islamabad court sends Fawad Chaudhry on judicial remand |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1035707-fawad-chaudhry-to-be-presented-before-court-after-two-day-physical-remand-ends |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}} Fawad Chaudhry was released from Adiala jail on 1 February 2023 after he was granted bail on the condition that he would not repeat any such words that incite violence against a constitutional institution. The ECP and prosecution opposed Fawad’s bail and requested the court to reject it.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=Fawad released from Adiala jail |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2398830/fawad-released-from-adiala-jail |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
= Comments on Narendra Modi =
During the 2024 Indian general election, Chaudhary commented that “It is very important that Modi loses the elections. Every Pakistani wants him to lose,”, while extending “best wishes” to opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and Mamata Banerjee, to defeat the Narendra Modi government. His comments triggered a stir and backlash from citizens of India, as Chaudhary stated that "BJP-RSS alliance in India is stoking hatred towards Pakistan, while Pakistan has no hatred towards India".{{cite web|url= https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pakistan-wants-narendra-modi-to-lose-lok-sabha-elections-says-fawad-chaudhry-heres-why-11716951254365.html|title= ’Pakistan wants Narendra Modi to lose Lok Sabha elections’, says Fawad Chaudhry. Here’s why}} In response to the tweet, Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal replied that "I and the people of my country are fully capable of handling our issues. Your tweet is not needed. The situation in Pakistan is very bad right now. You take care of your country." Kejriwal further added that "The elections taking place in India are our internal matter. India will not tolerate interference from the biggest sponsors of terrorism".{{cite web|url= https://www.livemint.com/politics/news/take-care-of-your-own-country-kejriwal-rebuffs-ex-pakistan-minister-fawad-hussains-remark-11716622822510.html|title= ‘Take care of your own country’, Kejriwal rebuffs ex- Pakistan minister Fawad Hussain’s remark}}
In October 2020, Chaudhary also admitted to the role of Pakistan in the 2019 Pulwama attack, commenting that “Humne Hindustan ko ghus ke maara (We hit India in their home). Our success in Pulwama, is a success of this nation under the leadership of Imran Khan.”{{cite web|url= https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-minister-admits-islamabads-role-in-pulwama-terror-attack/article32973658.ece|title= Pakistan Minister admits Islamabad’s role in Pulwama terror attack}}
References
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Category:Pakistani MNAs 2018–2023
Category:Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNAs
Category:People from Jhelum District
Category:Chaudhry family (Jhelum)
Category:Federal ministers of Pakistan
Category:Politicians from Jhelum