Khawaja Muhammad Asif is a senior Pakistani politician affiliated with PML-N. Born on August 9, 1949, in Sialkot, he has held key federal positions including Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Power ministries. A trusted lieutenant of Nawaz Sharif, he is known for his steadfast party loyalty and commanding parliamentary presence.
Early Life & Education
Asif’s early education was at Cadet College Hasan Abdal, followed by a BA and LLB from Government College Lahore in 1970. He later earned a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics in 1975.
Political Career Overview
He returned to Pakistan in 1991 after working in banking abroad. Since then, he has served as both a national assembly member and senator, representing Sialkot and serving in multiple cabinet roles across the 1990s and 2000s.
Family: Wife, Son, and Daughter
Khawaja Asif is married to Musarrat Asif Khawaja, a PML-N politician serving as an MNA (Wikipedia). They have one son—Khawaja Muhammad Asad (employed at MCB)—and three daughters:
- Atika Safdar Khawaja: Married, based in New York, working as a freelance writer.
- Ameera Safdar Khawaja: Pursuing journalism at Beaconhouse National University.
- Fatima Safdar Khawaja: Studying culinary arts at The Culinary Institute of America.
Trending: Daughter Atika Asif & Online Reaction
Recently, Atika Safdar Khawaja has gained online attention. Asif’s tough remarks about female senators triggered backlash when trolls circulated unrelated or misleading clips, falsely claiming one featured his daughter dancing at a club. Fact-checks confirmed the person in the video was not Atika, and his niece Shaza dismissively clarified the rumor.
Controversies & Allegations
Asif has faced several challenges:
- Accused of holding dual nationality, though cleared by the Supreme Court.
- Named in campaign finance scrutiny with allegations of 48 bank accounts and unexplained funds amounting to Rs 507 million between 2009–2018.
- Public backlash over sexist comments in Parliament, particularly targeting female lawmakers (Geo News).
Latest Political Presence
In 2025, Khawaja Asif remains an influential PML-N voice, often appearing on media to comment on national affairs. However, he is playing more of a behind-the-scenes or advisory role within the party structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Khawaja Asif?
A senior Pakistani politician from PML-N, known for holding major federal ministries. - When was Khawaja Asif born?
August 9, 1949. - Where is he from?
Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan. - What is his educational background?
Cadet College Hasan Abdal; BA/LLB from Government College Lahore; Master’s from LSE. - Who is Khawaja Asif’s wife?
Musarrat Asif Khawaja, currently serving as MNA. - How many children does he have?
Four: one son and three daughters. - Who are his daughters?
Atika (writer, New York), Ameera (journalism student), and Fatima (culinary student). - Is Atika Asif a writer?
Yes, she is a freelance writer based in New York City. - Was there a viral video of his daughter?
Yes, but it was misidentified—fact checks confirmed the video did not involve his daughter. - Has he faced financial controversies?
Yes, allegations include unexplained assets of Rs 507 million from 2009–2018. - Was he ever disqualified for nationality issues?
He faced dual nationality allegations but was later cleared by the Supreme Court. - What ministries has he held?
Defence, Foreign Affairs, Water & Power. - Is his family also active in politics?
Yes, notably his wife Musarrat and niece Shaza Fatima. - Is he still active in 2025 politics?
Yes, mostly in advisory and leadership roles. - What is his public image?
A loyal PML-N stalwart with a reputation for strong rhetoric and central roles in past governments. - Has he received any honorary degrees?
Yes, an honorary doctorate from Geneva School of Diplomacy in 2017. - Did he ever work abroad?
Yes, he worked in banking in the UAE before entering politics. - How did rumors about his daughter spread?
Through social media misrepresentation and politically motivated smear campaigns. - Has he faced criticism for comments in parliament?
Yes, particularly regarding derogatory remarks about female lawmakers. - What legacy is he building?
A long-serving politician with a complex record—marked by both ministerial achievements and public controversies.
