Zafarullah Khan Jamali

Who is Zafarullah Khan Jamali?

Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali is a nationalist conservative politician and former sports administrator, serving as the thirteenth Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2002 until his resignation in 2004.

Originally a supporter of Pakistan Peoples Party, Jamali emerged in the politics of Balochistan Province in the 1970s, under military governor Rahimuddin Khan. He became a national figure as a part of the government of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and served as the Chief Minister of Balochistan in two non-consecutive terms from June 1988 to December 1988, and November 1996 to February 1997. Although a senior leader in the Pakistan Muslim League and Sharif's confidante, Jamali's relations went cold, and he subsequently joined the dissident's party after the 1999 coup led by General Pervez Musharraf. After participating successfully in the 2002 general election, Jamali won the bid for the Office of Prime Minister after his supporters and colleagues left their respected parties to support him. On 21 November 2002, Jamali was appointed as thirteenth Prime Minister of Pakistan, becoming the first ethnic Baloch to hold that office.