Ex President of Pakistan and Ex Chairman of the Senate
Wasim Sajjad was born on 30 March 1941 in Jalandhar, Punjab.Senator Wasim Sajjad was sworn in as Chairman Senate of Pakistan for the fourth consecutive term on 21st March 1997. Earlier he had been continuously holding this office since 24th December, 1988 to 20th March, 1997. He also served as a President of Pakistan from 19th July, 1993 to 13th November, 1993 and again from 2nd December, 1997 to 1st January, 1998.
Born on 30 March 1941, Mr. Wasim Sajjad graduated from the University of the Punjab in 1961 obtaining first class with honours in English. He stood first in FEL and LLB examinations of the Punjab University in 1962 and 1963 winning gold medals in both examinations. He won another gold medal in 1964 by securing first position in M.A. (Political Science). He won the Ruchi Ram Sahni Declamation and Krishan Kishore Grover Declamation prizes of the Punjab University.
He was selected for Rhodes scholarship from Pakistan for studies at Oxford University in 1964 and obtained honours in jurisprudence from there in 1966. He also obtained the Post-Graduate degree of B.C.L. (Bachelor of Civil Laws) from Oxford University in 1967. He is a Barrister from the Inner Temple, London. He is an honorary fellow of Wadham College Oxford.
During his academic career, Mr. Wasim Saijad had the distinction of being the President of different societies of the institutions where he studied. At Oxford, he was the President of the Islamic Society and the Pakistan Society. He was also the President of Oxford Birkenhead Society. He has been holding the position of Secretary, Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for Pakistan since 1981. He has also been teaching at the Law College, Lahore as part-time lecturer from 1967-77.
Early education
He spent his childhood days at Army Burn Hall College, Abbottabad, from where he completed his O and A Levels.
Justice Sajjad Ahmed Jan
His father, the late Mr Justice Sajjad Ahmed Jan, served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and later as the Chief Election Commissioner. Wasim Sajjad would follow in his footsteps, becoming a lawyer, and attending Wadham College, Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship.
Education
M.A. LL.B (Punjab)
M.A. (Oxon)
B.C.L. (Oxon)
Barrister-at-Law of The Inner Temple London.
Honorary Fellow Wadhan College Oxford
Academic Career:
Graduated from the Punjab University in 1961 obtaining 1st Class with Honours in English.
Stood first in F.E.L. and LL.B. Examinations of the Punjab University held in 1962 and 1963 winning Gold Medals.
Stood first in Jurisprudence in the F.E.L. Examination of the Punjab University held in 1962. Awarded Gold Medal.
Stood first in M.A. (Political Science) Examination of the Punjab University held in 1964. Awarded Gold Medal.
Additionally awarded three Gold Medals for Public speaking during University career.
Won the Ruchi Ram Sahni Declamation Prize from the Punjab University.
Won the Krishan Kishore Grover Declamation Prize of the Punjab University.
Placed on the Roll of Honour of University Law College, Lahore, in 1963 for outstanding performance as debater, sportsman and student.
Selected RHODES Scholar from Pakistan for studies at Oxford University in 1964.
Secured Honours in Jurisprudence from Oxford University in 1966.
Secured the degree of B.C.L. (Bachelor of Civil Laws) from Oxford University in 1967.
Secured the degree of M.A. from Oxford University.
Barrister-at-Law from the Inner Temple London.
President, Oxford University Islamic Society — 1966.
President, Oxford University Pakistan Society — 1965 to 1966.
President, Oxford University Birkenhead Society — 1965 to 1967.
Secretary, Wadham College Oxford (Junior Common Room) — 1966.
Elected Honorary Fellow Wadham College Oxford.
Legal Career:
Appeared in a large number of cases of Constitutional and Legal importance before the High Court and Supreme Court of Pakistan in which human rights issues were involved.
Requested to appear as Amicus Curiae by Full Bench of the Lahore High Court in matter relating to Constitutional validity of Martial Law.
Lecturer in Constitutional Law at University Law College Lahore from 1967 to 1977.
Head of the Law Firm: Sajjad Law Associates, Islamabad-Pakistan.
Political career and President of Pakistan
His political career began in the 1980s when he was elected to the Pakistani Senate.
Federal Minister for Law
He served as the Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs, and also held the portfolio of the Federal Minister for Interior, under the Government of Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo.
Chairman of the Senate in 1988
He moved up to Chairman of the Senate in 1988,
President of Pakistan 1993
He served his first term as President in 1993, following the resignation of Ghulam Ishaq Khan. As interim president, Sajjad was essentially a placeholder for the office until elections were completed.
Election for President December,
He would run in the election for President, but was defeated by Farooq Leghari.
Interim President December 1997 to January, 1998.
In 1997, Sajjad was again made interim President and stepped down upon the election of Muhammad Rafiq Tarar.
Leader of the House
Leader of the House in the Senate of Pakistan from March, 2003 to March, 2008.
Member of Senate
Presently he is a Senator Tenure = March 2006 to March 2012
Member of Standing Committees
Standing Committee on Law and Justice and Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs.
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs, and Northern Areas.
Standing Committee on Planning, Development, and Population Welfare.
Finance Committee.
In 2002, Sajjad was accused of mis-use of government vehicles and phones, amounting to millions of rupees. He was ordered to pay a fine, but served no time in jail.
Wasim Sajjad Pictures
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