Graduate, Government College, Lahore; Master's in Journalism, Punjab University. 1983, Chairman, District Council Multan; 1985-86, Federal Minister for Housing and Works, then Minister for Railways; 1988-90, joined Pakistan People's Party and held as Minister portfolios of Tourism, and Housing and Works; 1993, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development; 1993-97, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan; imprisoned for five years until 2006. Since March 2008, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Author of Cry from the Yousaf's Well. Interests: music, architecture and poetry.