Faisal Raza Abidi
Faisal Raza Abidi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pakistan |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, CEO |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | Senator representing Sindh Province (2009–2013), PPP president Karachi Division, CEO of Al-Zulfiqar Group of Companies |
Faisal Raza Abidi () is a Pakistani politician who served as a senator representing Sindh Province under the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) from March 2009 until January 2013. He held the position of PPP president for Karachi Division and was a prominent member of the party’s Central Executive Committee. Renowned for his public speaking abilities, Abidi frequently condemned the Taliban and proscribed terrorist organizations on national television. Politically, he forged alliances with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), which represents the Sunni Barelvi community, as well as the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), which advocates for Shia groups in Pakistan. Alongside his political career, he has been the CEO of Karachi-based Al-Zulfiqar Group of Companies since 2008.
Political career
Following the 2008 General Elections, Abidi was appointed as the president of PPP’s Karachi division, where he reinvigorated party operations and established considerable influence within the city. His growing prominence sparked internal opposition, leading to his removal from this role. Though reinstated in 2011, he stepped down in 2012 due to ongoing internal conflicts.
Abidi was an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s then Chief Justice and frequently challenged his own party’s policies and senior leadership decisions. He was a consistent advocate for the country’s security institutions, minority communities, and those affected by terrorism.
He held the position of PPP senator for Sindh from March 2009 until April 2014 but resigned after disagreements with party leadership, as per PPP’s request.
His arrest
In November 2016, Faisal Raza Abidi, a former PPP senator, was detained over allegations related to sectarian violence in Karachi. Authorities conducted a raid at his residence in New Rizvia Society, District East, seizing an array of heavy weaponry including a G-3 rifle and sub-machine guns. Forensic analyses revealed that these firearms had not been employed in any criminal acts; further investigations were ongoing.
Abidi’s wife, Syeda Nida Abidi, asserted that her husband was targeted due to his vocal support for Pakistan's armed forces and security agencies. She appealed to both the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff to ensure impartial judicial proceedings, emphasizing that the seized weapons were unrelated to Faisal or any banned organizations. Despite his previous affiliation with PPP, Faisal had become a critic of its policies while championing national security forces, minority rights, and victims of terrorism. She also called for protection measures for her family.
In October 2018, Abidi received a jail sentence for contempt of court after labeling the Chief Justice of Pakistan a "traitor" during a July 2018 interview on the web channel "Naya Pakistan," where he criticized the oath taken under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO). The channel’s owner and producer were also placed under judicial remand for broadcasting remarks deemed anti-judiciary.
Earlier in 2012, Abidi had publicly demanded that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other judges restored under the PCO step down.
Reactions
The arrest of Faisal Raza Abidi drew criticism from Shia Muslim clerics such as Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi. The US-based Al Baqee Organization called for his immediate release. Furthermore, a protest took place on 19 October 2018 in Kharadar, Karachi’s commercial hub.