Ayla Malik

Ayla Malik is a Pakistani politician and journalist. She was born on 6 October 1970 in Mianwali. Malik served as a Member of the National Assembly from 2002 to 2013 through a reserved seat for women.

Early life and education

Malik comes from a prominent political family. She is a granddaughter of Malik Amir Mohammad Khan of Kalabagh, who previously served as the governor of West Pakistan. Her relatives include her sister, politician Sumaira Malik, and her uncle, former President Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari.

Her educational background became a subject of legal scrutiny in 2013. On 20 July 2013, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) in Rawalpindi declared her intermediate certificate bogus. The board stated that the document carried the roll number of a male candidate named Imdad Hussain. This individual had also failed his examinations.

Career

Malik began her political journey in 1998 when she joined the Millat Party of Farooq Leghari. She held the position of Deputy Secretary General within that party. Between 2002 and 2007, she served as an MNA representing the National Alliance (Pakistan) platform.

In 2011, Malik joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). She became a central member of the party in Mianwali. Although she appeared on the PTI priority list for a reserved seat, the party did not win enough seats to nominate her to parliament. Following this, PTI Chairman Imran Khan decided to field her in his hometown seat during the by-elections. This decision came after she successfully managed the party's campaign in a district where PTI won every single seat.

Her political activities involved significant personal risk. On 10 May 2013, unidentified persons opened fire on her convoy in Mianwali. This attack resulted in injuries to Malik.

Legal challenges ended her parliamentary eligibility. On 30 July 2013, a two-member Election Tribunal of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench disqualified her. The tribunal consisted of Justice Mamoon Rasheed and Justice Ayesha A Malik. They ruled that she had submitted a fake intermediate degree to the Election Commission of Pakistan. This verdict declared her ineligible to contest the bye-polls.

Malik also worked in the media industry. She served as a journalist and anchored a current affairs program. The show, titled Situation Room with Ayla Malik, aired on Dunya News.

Personal life

Ayla Malik is married to Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind. She maintains deep political roots in Mianwali.