Muhammad Talha Mahmood

Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood (Urdu: محمد طلحہ محمود c. 1 November 1960) was a Pakistani general category member of the Senate of Pakistan from Hazara Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who was the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony, in office from 20 April 2022 till 10 August 2023.[1][2]

Muhammad Talha Mahmood
محمد طلحہ محمود
Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony
In office
20 April 2022 – 10 August 2023
PresidentArif Alvi
Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif
Preceded byAbdul Shakoor
Member of the Senate of Pakistan
In office
12 March 2018 – 12 March 2024
ConstituencyKhyber Pakhtunkhwa
In office
12 March 2012 – 11 March 2018
ConstituencyKhyber Pakhtunkhwa
In office
12 March 2006 – 11 March 2012
ConstituencyKhyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat
In office
12 March 2012 – 12 March 2024
Personal details
Born (1960-11-01) 1 November 1960 (age 64)
Islamabad, Pakistan
Nationality Pakistan
Political partyPPP (2024-present)
Other political
affiliations
JUI (F) (2006-2024)
Alma materPunjab University

He obtained his degree from Punjab University in 1984 and has since held prominent positions in the political landscape.

Career

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In 2006, he was elected to the Senate of Pakistan and his re-election followed in 2012.[3]

He is Deputy Parliamentary Leader of JUI-F (Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam), Additionally, he holds key responsibilities as the Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee for Narcotics Control and Interior.[4]

Furthermore, he contributes his expertise as a member of several important Senate standing committees, including Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat and Capital Administration and Development, Petroleum and Natural Resources, and Ministry of Finance.[5]

He was successfully reelected to the Senate in 2018 Senate election, ensuring his membership in the upper house until March 2024.[5]

Alongside his political engagements, he is also associated with the Talha Mahmood Foundation.[6]

He contested the 2024 Pakistani general election from NA-1 Upper Chitral-cum-Lower Chitral as a candidate of JUI-F, but was unsuccessful. He received 43,127 votes and was defeated by Abdul Latif, an independent candidate.[7]

On 26 March 2024, he joined the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).[8]

Minister of Religious Affairs

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He assumed office of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony after the death of Mufti Abdul Shakoor on 15 April 2023.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Ali, Kalbe (19 April 2023). "Talha Mahmood given portfolio of religious affairs". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony". mora.gov.pk. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood to head religious affairs ministry". Geo.tv. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Talha Mahmood leaves for Saudi Arabia to review Hajj arrangements". 20 April 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Senate of Pakistan". senate.gov.pk. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Talha Mehmood Foundation Helping Poor Strata By Distributing Food Packages". UrduPoint. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  7. ^ "PTI-backed candidates make clean sweep in Chitral". 8 February 2024.
  8. ^ Guramani, Nadir (26 March 2024). "PPP says opposition in KP to spring 'surprise' in Senate polls as JUI-F's Talha Mahmood joins party". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  9. ^ Ali, Kalbe (19 April 2023). "Talha Mahmood given portfolio of religious affairs". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
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