Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan born 2 March 1963, is the 30th Governor of Sindh, Pakistan. Ishrat-ul-Ebad is a Pakistan-born citizen and he also holds dual nationality as a British citizen. He took up the post of Governor of Sindh, Pakistan on 27 December 2002, becoming the youngest governor to hold the office. Since 16 July 2008, he has the distinction of becoming the province's longest-serving governor. He resigned on 27 June 2011, but his resignation was not accepted by the President of Pakistan. He resumed his official Governor duties from Tuesday, 19 July 2011.
Political career
Ishrat-ul-Ebad studied in Dow Medical College, Karachi. During his studies, he emerged as a leader of a student organisation, APMSO, a student wing of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). After graduation, he remained the head of the Medical Aid Committee of MQM. Earlier in 1990, he was Minister of Housing and Town Planning in the Government of Sindh. Subsequently, he was assigned the additional portfolio of Environment and Public Health Engineering Departments. In 1993, he left for the United Kingdom on political asylum, where he acquired British nationality during his stay in northwest London and became entitled to UK state benefits.
Achievements and Developments
Ishrat-ul-Ebad played a pivotal role in defusing tension and violence in the province by holding political talks with members of other political parties. He has played an instrumental role in getting the 22 hostages released from the Somalian pirates captivity with the partnership of Ansar Burney who leads a human rights organisation.
A number of development projects were started during Ebad's time in the office, including Nagan Chowrangi flyover. He is working on a long term project to make Karachi a greener city. The Beach View Park was constructed under his supervision. It was a part of the Grand Recreation Project. This park is spread over an area of 47 acres (19 ha) and constructed along 3.7 km of the coastal driveway.
Also, under his supervision, a park Bagh Ibne Qasim (old name Jehangir Kothari Park near Jehangir Kothari Parade) was constructed, located in Clifton, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The park was established on 27 February 2007. The park is the country's largest park, constructed under Clifton Beach Development Project on 130 acres (0.53 km2) of land. This park replaced old Toyland Theme Park. The park cost PKR 600 million and has been completed in just about 310 working days. It is estimated that more than 10 million people visit this park per year. Prior to the initiation of construction on Bagh Ibne Qasim, 73 acres (30 ha) of land was freed from the grip of land grabbers.
Controversy
British Nationality
Ishrat-ul-Ebad is a Pakistan-born citizen and he also holds dual nationality as a British citizen.
Taking benefits from UK government
Ishrat-ul-Ebad has been embroiled in controversy of taking thousands of pounds of benefits from British government. Ishrat-ul-Ebad has accepted that he has a taken some benefits as he was covered under social benefits. Ishrat-ul-Ebad has since paid back "few hundred pounds" to the British government. Source: Wikipedia
