Sheikh Waqas Akram (Urdu: شیخ وقاص اکرم; born 26 August 1976) is a Pakistani politician and a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from NA-109 Jhang-II since 29 February 2024. He previously served as a member of the National Assembly from November 2002 to November 2007 and from March 2008 to March 2013. He joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in early 2023 and was appointed as the Information Secretary of the party, which he is serving as today.[1][2]
Early life and education
Sheikh Waqas Akram was born on 26 August 1976 in Jhang, Punjab. His father, Sheikh Muhammad Akram is also a prominent politician who was later described as having a political duo with his son Waqas.[3]
He completed his matriculation from the Abbottabad Public School. He failed his A-level education, and subsequently tried to pass intermediate from Government College, Lahore, but failed that too.[4][better source needed] He was disqualified for some time as he had reportedly submitted fake A-levels certificate while filing his nomination papers for elections.[5] He has submitted multiple fake educational documents, and committed perjury for which he was disqualified for a long time.[6][7][8]
In March 2013, in the run up to the 2013 Pakistani general election, he joined the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N). His decision to join the PML-N came while still being an incumbent lawmaker and minister for the PML-Q.[13] He could not take part in 2013 general elections because a returning officer rejected his nomination papers based on a letter sent by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) about his declared fake degrees.[14][15] He later challenged his rejection in a higher court tribunal which allowed him to contest the election,[16] though he decided not to contest the elections.
Prior to the 2018 Pakistani general election, he was offered to run as a candidate of the PML-N from NA-115 Jhang-II. Despite being described as a loyal and strong member of the PML-N, Sheikh Waqas Akram refused to contest on a PML-N ticket, and instead attempted to run in the same constituency for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Waqas was denied a PTI ticket, as the PTI selected Ghulam Bibi Bharwana to run from NA-115 Jhang-II. Following this, Waqas Akram opted to run as an Independent candidate from the constituency but failed to win against Ghulam Bibi Bharwana and PTI.[3]
On 9 February 2024, amid the 2024 Pakistani general election, independent candidate Sheikh Waqas Akram, supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emerged victorious in the National Assembly seat for constituency NA-109 Jhang, as reported by Geo News.[19] The election saw Waqas Akram garner 176,586 votes,[19][20] defeating his closest rival, Sheikh Yaqub of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), by a margin of 114,799 votes.[citation needed] Waqas Akram's campaign, which focused on major problems of Jhang with the youth, resonated with voters, leading to his decisive win. With this victory, Waqas Akram becomes the new representative for NA-109 Jhang.
