Noor-ul-Haq Qadri
{{Short description|Pakistani politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-suffix =
| name = Noor-ul-Haq Qadri
| image = Noor-ul-Haq Qadri.jpg
| office = Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony
| president = Mamnoon Hussain
Arif Alvi
| primeminister = Imran Khan
| term_start = 20 August 2018
| term_end = 10 April 2022
| successor = Abdul Shakoor
| predecessor = Muhammad Yusuf Shaikh {{small|(caretaker)}}
| office1 = Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
| term_start1 = 13 August 2018
| term_end1 = 17 January 2023
| constituency1 = NA-43 (Tribal Area-IV)
| term_start2 = 2002
| term_end2 = 2013
| constituency2 = NA-45 (Tribal Area-X)
| party = PTI (2017-present)
| nationality = Pakistani
| office3 = President of PTI Erstwhile FATA
| term_start3 = 16 January 2023
| 1blankname3 = Chairman
| 1namedata3 = Imran Khan
Gohar Ali Khan
| relations = Muhammad Adnan Qadri (nephew)
}}
Noor-ul-Haq Qadri is a Pakistani politician who was Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony (20 August 2018 – 10 April 2022). He had been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from August 2018 till January 2023. Previously, he was a member of the National Assembly from 2002 to 2013.
Personal life
Qadri has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Islamic Studies from Minhaj University, Lahore.{{cite news |title=PhD, MSc degree holders in Federal and Provincial cabinets of PTI government |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/454556-PhD,-MSc-degree-holders-in-Federal-and-Provincial-cabinets-of-Imran-Khan |accessdate=1 September 2018 |work=Dunya News |archive-date=1 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901085109/http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/454556-PhD,-MSc-degree-holders-in-Federal-and-Provincial-cabinets-of-Imran-Khan |url-status=live }}
A Sunni, he belongs to the Barelvi school of thought. He is a prominent religious figure in Landi Kotal and has a large following. His brother Hafiz Abdul Malik is also a politician, having been a senator.{{cite news |title=The Prime Minister's Cabinet |url=http://newslinemagazine.com/magazine/the-prime-ministers-cabinet/ |accessdate=19 September 2018 |work=Newsline |date=18 September 2018 |archive-date=18 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918172401/http://newslinemagazine.com/magazine/the-prime-ministers-cabinet/ |url-status=live }}
Political career
He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan from Constituency NA-45 (Tribal Area-X) as an independent candidate in the 2002 Pakistani general election.{{cite news|title=Newly-elected NWFP MPs form group|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/62305|accessdate=21 July 2017|work=dawn.com|date=18 October 2002|language=en|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223211/https://www.dawn.com/news/62305|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Shinwari|first1=Ibrahim|title=Electioneering picks up momentum in Khyber Agency|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/279772|accessdate=21 July 2017|work=dawn.com|date=11 December 2007|language=en|archive-date=21 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223224/https://www.dawn.com/news/279772|url-status=live}} He received 9,121 votes and defeated an independent candidate, Ajab Khan Afridi.{{cite web|title=2002 election result|url=https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ge/ge2002vol2.pdf|publisher=ECP|accessdate=25 May 2018|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126141507/https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ge/ge2002vol2.pdf|archivedate=26 January 2018}} Reportedly, he served as Minister for Religious Affairs in the federal cabinet during the rule of former President Pervez Musharraf.{{cite news |title=Prime Minister Imran Khan's Federal Cabinet: Who is Who? |url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/453443-Prime-Minister-Imran-Khan-federal-Cabinet:-Who-is-Who |accessdate=21 August 2018 |work=Dunya News |archive-date=20 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820165211/http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/453443-Prime-Minister-Imran-Khan-federal-Cabinet:-Who-is-Who |url-status=live }}
He was re-elected to the National Assembly from Constituency NA-45 (Tribal Area-X) as an independent candidate in the 2008 Pakistani general election.{{cite news|title=Independent candidate bags Khyber Agency's NA-45 - The Express Tribune|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/547797/independent-candidate-bags-khyber-agencys-na-45/|work=The Express Tribune|date=11 May 2013|access-date=28 June 2017|archive-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809171841/https://tribune.com.pk/story/547797/independent-candidate-bags-khyber-agencys-na-45/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Shinwari|first1=Ibrahim|title=Landi Kotal: Results of three Fata constituencies withheld|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/290123|accessdate=21 July 2017|work=dawn.com|date=20 February 2008|language=en|archive-date=10 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810041012/https://www.dawn.com/news/290123|url-status=live}} He received 13,876 votes and defeated an independent candidate, Mohammad Ibrahim Koki Khel.{{cite web|title=2008 election result|url=https://www.ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202008/Report,%20General%20Election%202008,%20Vol-II.pdf|publisher=ECP|accessdate=25 May 2018|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105060230/https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202008/Report,%20General%20Election%202008,%20Vol-II.pdf|archivedate=5 January 2018}} In November 2008, he was inducted into the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and was appointed as Federal Minister for Zakat and Ushr{{cite news |title=Five new portfolios created, seven cabinet slots vacant |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/328631 |accessdate=21 August 2018 |work=dawn.com |date=5 November 2008 |archive-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812141526/https://www.dawn.com/news/328631 |url-status=live }} where he continued to serve until December 2010.{{cite news |title=Five ministers lose portfolios to devolution |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/590491 |accessdate=21 August 2018 |work=dawn.com |date=12 December 2010 |archive-date=26 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526191500/https://www.dawn.com/news/590491 |url-status=live }} He remained a member of the federal cabinet without portfolio from December 2010 to February 2011.{{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 |accessdate=21 August 2018 |archive-date=5 May 2017 |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 |url-status=live }}
He ran for the seat of the National Assembly from Constituency NA-45 (Tribal Area-X) as an independent candidate in the 2013 Pakistani general election{{cite news|last1=Shinwari|first1=Ibrahim|title=Business tycoon and religious figure to fight it out in NA-45|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1010578|accessdate=21 July 2017|work=dawn.com|date=10 May 2013|language=en|archive-date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527202055/https://www.dawn.com/news/1010578|url-status=live}} but was unsuccessful. He received 20,181 votes and lost the seat to Alhaj Shah Jee Gul Afridi.{{cite web|title=2013 election result|url=https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202013%20report/Election%20Report%202013%20Volume-II.pdf|publisher=ECP|accessdate=26 May 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526173608/https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202013%20report/Election%20Report%202013%20Volume-II.pdf|archivedate=26 May 2018}}
He joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in November 2017.
He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-43 (Tribal Area-IV) in the 2018 Pakistani general election.{{cite news |title=PTI's Noor-UL-Haq Qadri wins NA-43 election |url=https://www.app.com.pk/ptis-noor-ul-haq-qadri-wins-na-43-election/ |accessdate=1 August 2018 |work=Associated Press Of Pakistan |date=26 July 2018 |archive-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801190437/https://www.app.com.pk/ptis-noor-ul-haq-qadri-wins-na-43-election/ |url-status=live }} He received 33,243 votes and defeated Alhaj Shah Jee Gul Afridi.{{cite web |title=NA-43 Result - Election Results 2018 - Khyber Agency 1 Tribal Area 4 - NA-43 Candidates - NA-43 Constituency Details - thenews.com.pk |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/election/constituency/NA-43 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |accessdate=1 August 2018 |language=en |archive-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801060245/https://www.thenews.com.pk/election/constituency/NA-43 |url-status=live }}
= Ministerial achievements and roles =
On 18 August, Imran Khan formally announced his federal cabinet structure and Qadri was named as Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony.{{cite news |date=18 August 2018 |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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818175537/https://www.dawn.com/news/1427792/pm-imran-khan-finalises-names-of-21-member-cabinet |archive-date=18 August 2018 |accessdate=18 August 2018 |work=dawn.com}} On 20 August 2018, he was sworn in as Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan.{{cite news |date=20 August 2018 |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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820061352/https://www.dawn.com/news/1428169/16-ministers-from-pm-imran-khans-cabinet-sworn-in |archive-date=20 August 2018 |accessdate=20 August 2018 |work=dawn.com}} In his ministerial position (20 August 2018 – 10 April 2022), Dr. Qadri implemented several key initiatives:
On 29 December 2021, Qadri chaired the inaugural session of the Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee—the first state-led body to oversee Hindu places of worship. He highlighted its role as “a bridge between the non‑Muslim population and the state.”Rizwan Gilzai, “Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee formed,” The Express Tribune, 30 December 2021; available at: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2336334/pakistan-hindu-temple-management-committee-formed“Religious ministry forms first ever Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee,” Dunya News, 29 December 2021; available at: https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/634786-Religious-ministry-first-ever-Pakistan-Hindu-Temple-Management-Committee
He condemned the Karak temple attack on 30 December 2020, calling it “a conspiracy to undermine interfaith harmony.” A mob of 1,500 local Muslims led by a local Islamic cleric and the supporters of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party had attacked and burnt the temple.{{Cite news |date=31 December 2020 |title=Pakistan arrests more than a dozen over Hindu temple attack |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/31/pakistan-arrests-14-people-over-demolishing-of-hindu-temple |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122052923/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2020/12/31/pakistan-arrests-14-people-over-demolishing-of-hindu-temple |archive-date=22 January 2021 |access-date=20 January 2021 |newspaper=Aljazeera}}{{Cite news |author=Imtiaz Ahmad |date=31 December 2020 |title=Hindu temple in Pakistan vandalised, set on fire |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/hindu-temple-in-pakistan-vandalised-set-on-fire/story-06WMhxga1WvRXA4shTjtlI_amp.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128163142/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/hindu-temple-in-pakistan-vandalised-set-on-fire/story-06WMhxga1WvRXA4shTjtlI_amp.html |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=20 January 2021 |newspaper=Hindustan Times}} He stressed that “damaging places of worship of non‑Muslims is against the teachings of Islam” and urged authorities to arrest the culprits.“Temple demolition a conspiracy to undermine interfaith harmony: Qadri,” Pakistan Observer, 1 January 2021; available at: https://pakobserver.net/temple-demolition-a-conspiracy-to-undermine-interfaith-harmony-qadri/“31 arrested for demolishing Hindu temple …” Arab News, 31 December 2020; available at: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1785381
Amid the Covid‑19 pandemic, Qadri managed the Hajj 2020 arrangements. On 19 March 2020, he announced that training programs for intending pilgrims were suspended, with approximately 179,210 Pakistanis registered under both government and private schemes.Ali Ahmed, “Govt suspends Hajj training amid coronavirus spread,” Business Recorder, 19 March 2020 (accessed online).“Hajj 2020: Pakistan calls emergency meeting to discuss latest situation,” Geo News, 23 June 2020; available at: https://www.geo.tv/latest/297577-hajj-2020-pakistan-calls-emergency-meeting-to-discuss-latest-situation
Earlier in February 2020, Qadri reaffirmed the 2020 Hajj quota policy, specifying 107,526 pilgrims under the government plan and 71,684 via private operators, totaling 179,210 pilgrims, which included allocations for senior citizens.“Hajj 2020: Pakistan calls emergency meeting …” Geo News, 23 June 2020.
References
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{{Khan Cabinet}}
{{Gillani Cabinet}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Qadri, Noor-ul-Haq}}
Category:People from Khyber District
Category:Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNAs
Category:Pakistani MNAs 2002–2007
Category:Pakistani MNAs 2008–2013
Category:Pakistani MNAs 2018–2023
Category:Federal ministers of Pakistan