Chaudhry Fazal Elahi

Chaudhry Fazal Ellahi, fifth president of Pakistan, was born on 1, January 1904 in Malala village near Kharian. He belongs to an influential Gujjar family of Gujrat District in Punjab. He received his early education from his hometown and later he attended the fascinating Aligarh Muslim University in1920. He received his LLB in Civil Law in 1924. He later attended Punjab University Post Graduate School in law and Political Science. He received his M.A in Political Science in 1925 and LLM in Law and Justice in 1927. He, after completing his education settled in Lahore, but later went back to Gujrat and started practicing civil law. In 1930, he participated in the Indian general election for Gujrat District and was elected unopposed.

In 1942, he became a member of the Muslim League. In 1945, he was elected as president of the Muslim League from Gujrat District. In 1946, he was elected from the Muslim league’s tickets and played an important role to spread the ideas of his party among people. After the Independence of Pakistan, he took part in the new government. He was appointed as a parliamentary secretary and later appointed as Education and Health Minister in 1951. He called in the election of the Punjab Legislative Assembly on the ticket of the Muslim League and was elected as a member of the Punjab Assembly. In 1952 he represented Pakistan in United Nations. In 1956, he was elected a member of the West Pakistan Assembly. He was its speaker from 20th May 1956-October 7, 1958. In 1956 when Ayub Khan announced elections he was elected as Deputy opposition leader of the House because of his experience and knowledge about parliamentary proceedings.

In 1970, he was elected as a member of the National  Assembly on the Pakistan Peoples Party’s ticket. He strived for the presidential election in 1972 against Khan Amirzadah Khan of NAP and all opposition parties. At that time Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was the head of PPP and President of  Pakistan. He was made Prime Minister of Pakistan then he presented the constitution of 1973. After the declaration of the new constitution, he was elected as the president of Pakistan with less power than the Prime Minister according to the constitution of 1973. Before that President had the authority to appoint Prime Minister. He remained the President of Pakistan till 1978.

After his resignation Military took control of the country under General Zia-ul-Haq. He died on 2 June 1982. General Zia-ul-Haq respected him and visited him on his death bed. His family since then was taken an active role in politics.