Santosh Kumar Bugti
سنتوش کمار بگٹی
Member of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan
In office
2013–2018
Personal details
NationalityPakistani
Political partyPakistan Muslim League (N)
OccupationPolitician

Santosh Kumar Bugti (Urdu/Balochi: سنتوش کمار بگٹی) is a Pakistani politician. He served as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan from 2013 to 2018 on a reserved seat for minorities, and is affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N).[1]

Background

Bugti was born to father Narain Das and hails from the Dera Bugti District.[2] He belongs to Balochistan's Hindu community. Prior to entering politics, he was known as a community leader and rights advocate for the Hindu minority.[3][4][5][6]

Political career

Bugti has been affiliated with the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and was elected to the Balochistan Provincial Assembly on a reserved seat for minorities in the 2013 election, an office he held until the completion of his term in 2018.[1][7] During this time, he developed a close association with prime minister Nawaz Sharif.[1] He served as the information secretary of the PML-N's Balochistan wing.[8]

In November 2014, Bugti's legislature membership was revoked by the Election Commission of Pakistan following a reference filed against him by PML-N Balochistan leader Sanaullah Khan Zehri on grounds of non-attendance of assembly proceedings.[1][7] It was reported that political differences had also developed between Bugti and the provincial PML-N leadership at the time.[7] However, Bugti received backing from Sharif and challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He won the case and his membership was reinstated.[1]

In March 2022, Bugti visited Sharif at his residence in London and assured him of the Hindu community's support in a meeting later publicised in the media.[9][10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Hindu community leader Santosh Kumar Bugti meets Nawaz Sharif". Daily Times. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "Reserved Seats" (PDF). Election Commission of Pakistan. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  3. ↑ "PML-N appeals for recovery of kidnapped Hindu leader". Dawn. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "Balochistan`s Hindus". Dawn. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "Many Hindus kidnapped for ransom: PML-N leader". New Indian Express. 30 December 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Pakistan sleuths clueless about Hindu leader's abduction". Deccan Herald. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 Baloch, Shezad (14 November 2014). "ECP disqualifies PML-N minority MPA Santosh Kumar". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "PTI Supporters Stage Protest Outside Nawaz Sharif's Residence In London". News18. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  9. ↑ Shah, Murtaza Ali (24 March 2022). "Former PML-N minority MPA praises Nawaz Sharif for empowering minorities". Geo News. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "Former minority MPA lauds Nawaz for empowering minorities". The News. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
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