Muhammad Zubair: Former Governor Sindh and Pakistani Politician
Muhammad Zubair: Former Governor Sindh and Pakistani Politician - A Profile in Political Leadership.
Mohammad Zubair Umar, a notable Pakistani political figure, held the position of the 32nd Governor of Sindh from February 2017 to August 2018. Recognized as a prominent leader within the Pakistan Muslim League, he also assumed the role of Chairman of the Privatisation Commission of Pakistan with the rank of State Minister from 2013 to 2017. Recently, he parted ways with the Pakistan Muslim League and is currently undecided about which political party he will align himself with.
Muhammad Zubair Umar, born on March 23, 1956, in Karachi, is 68 years old.
He was affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and is an alumnus of the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. As the former Governor of Sindh (2017–2018), he has played a significant role in Pakistani politics. Zubair Umar is the sibling of Asad Umar and is the son of Ghulam Umar.
Origins and Educational Background
Umar was born in Rawalpindi to Ghulam Umar and grew up in Rawalpindi before relocating to Karachi for his higher education. He hails from a Punjabi community. Zubair is the elder brother of Asad Umar, a prominent leader of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
He attained his master’s degree in business administration from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in 1981. During his time at IBA, he served on the Board of Directors starting in 1980 and also taught Financial Management from 1981 to 1986. Following the completion of his MBA, he joined IBM and remained with the company until his resignation in 2007.
Zubair Umar’s father, Major General (retd) Ghulam Umar, was an army officer and a trusted confidant, serving as the first Advisor of the National Security Council (NSC) established by the government of President Yahya Khan.
Career Trajectory
Before venturing into politics, Umar gained prominence as a television show host.
Upon joining the PML-N in 2012, he assumed roles within the party’s Economic and Tax Reforms Media Committees.
From July 12, 2013, to December 17, 2013, Umar served as the Chairman of the Pakistan Board of Investment.
He then held the position of Chairman of the Privatisation Commission of Pakistan, with the rank of Minister of State, from December 2013 to February 2017.
In January 2017, Umar was appointed as the 32nd Governor of Sindh and officially sworn into office in February 2017.
After the 2018 Pakistani general election, he resigned from his position as Sindh Governor on July 28, 2018. His resignation was accepted on August 3, 2018.
Controversial Video Allegations
On September 26, 2021, sexually explicit videos purportedly featuring Umar surfaced online, reportedly filmed at a rest house in Islamabad with at least one unidentified woman. Both Umar and his political party (PMLN) denied the authenticity of the videos, asserting they were doctored and false. However, neither Umar nor his party pursued legal action against the videos, casting doubt on the veracity of their claims.