Mushtaq Minhas

Raja Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas is a Pakistani politician and former journalist. Born on 12 August 1970, he has held significant positions in both the media industry and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government. His career spans roles as a news reporter, a television host, and a cabinet minister.

Early life and education

Minhas completed his initial schooling at Govt Boys High School Bagh. He later moved to Lahore to pursue higher education at Forman Christian College. During his time at the college, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was an active student leader—serving as the vice-president of the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba, which is the students' union of Jamaat-e-Islami.

He continued his academic pursuits at the University of the Punjab in Lahore. In 1992, he received a Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication. This educational background provided the foundation for his subsequent entry into the media profession.

Career

Minhas began his professional life in journalism, working with various leading news organizations. He served as a reporter, a senior reporter, and a chief reporter across different outlets. His involvement in press unions was extensive. He was a member of the federal executive council of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and acted as a founder of the National Press Club Islamabad. Additionally, he served as the president of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club and was elected secretary of that club for 6 terms.

In the television industry, Minhas gained prominence as a co-host on AAJ TV. He hosted the political talk show Bolta Pakistan alongside senior journalist Nusrat Javed. While he eventually left the program to join BOL TV, he departed that station shortly after. His media career faced scrutiny when a PFUJ investigation committee reported that he swallowed a copy of election results, an act which the committee claimed caused mayhem.

Minhas transitioned from media to politics in March 2016. He joined the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and announced his intention to quit journalism at that time. He successfully ran for office as a Member of the National Assembly from the Bagh LA-14 constituency. In this election, he defeated Sardar Qamer Zaman Khan of the PPP. Following his election, he was appointed as the Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture in the AJK assembly. He remains a member of the 8th Legislative Assembly of AJK.

Personal life

During his student years, Minhas was known to be a keen hockey player. His transition from the newsroom to the political arena marked a significant shift in his public identity. He has faced public controversy regarding his social media activity—specifically an incident where he posted a photo with a shotgun on Twitter in response to the Indian Army Chief.