Jahangir Tareen: Is man with plane on flight of fancy?

Jahangir Tareen, the Chairman of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), once dubbed Imran Khan's ATM (automated teller machine) because of his massive funding to his party, is one of the wealthiest politicians in the country. 

He rose to political stardom as a power player in the 2018 elections.

Born in 1953, Tareen graduated from Lahore's Forman Christian College before earning an MBA from the University of North Carolina in 1974. Known for his innovative farming practices and significant sugar holdings, he owns sugar mills in Rahim Yar Khan and operates a modern cattle farm and agricultural lands in Lodhran.

Shifts and alliances

Tareen's political journey began in 2002 when he was elected to the National Assembly on a Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) ticket during Pervez Musharraf's military rule.

He also served as an adviser on agriculture under then-Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi. In 2004, he transitioned to the federal government, appointed as Minister for Industries and Production.

After a brief stint with the Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) in 2008, Tareen aimed to launch his party. However, a change of course led him to join Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 2011. This association proved pivotal for PTI's growth in the coming years.

Despite losing in the 2013 elections, Tareen was re-elected as an MNA on the PTI ticket in 2015 by-elections. During the 2014 sit-in, he played a crucial role in mediating between PTI and the Nawaz Sharif government. His influence within PTI grew steadily, culminating in his appointment as the party's Secretary General.

Challenges and new ventures

In 2017, a Supreme Court decision disqualified Tareen from holding office, a move interpreted by many as a response to Nawaz Sharif's disqualification. Though he resigned as PTI's Secretary General, he remained associated with the party.

In 2018, he played a key role in forming the PTI government in Punjab by persuading independent members of the assembly to join the party. However, his relationship with Khan deteriorated due to the sugar scandal, leading to his indictment by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in 2021.

The year 2022 saw the formation of a forward bloc amidst political turmoil, and Tareen was instrumental in dislodging the PTI government through a no-confidence motion. Following this, he launched the IPP alongside former PTI leaders like Aleem Khan.

Currently, the IPP has fielded candidates in nearly 100 national and provincial assembly seats and has formed an electoral alliance with PML-N in Punjab. A landmark court judgement in January 2024 lifted the lifetime ban on disqualified politicians, paving the way for Tareen's potential return to electoral politics.

Philanthropy

Known for his philanthropic work in his hometown Lodhran, Tareen's extended family members are also very influential in politics and business. 

His network includes prominent figures like former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin (paternal cousin), Humayun Akhtar (maternal cousin), and prominent South Punjab politician Makhdoom Ahmed Mahmood (brother-in-law).

What are Tareen's chances?

From billionaire industrial mogul to political firebrand, Tareen stands on the cusp of one of the toughest tests of his mantle. His newborn party is entering the country's most uncertain yet crucial elections to find a niche in legislative politics without having to latch onto a major party. 

His vision — a Pakistan with a roaring economy, empowered youth, and a voice that the world cannot ignore — fills many hearts with the rays of hope. But can his rookie Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, convert this vision into the hard currency of votes?

The election war horns are blaring and Tareen is staring into a crucible. Will his venturesome plan land him in a position to broker power, or will he fail miserably? Only time will tell if the plans of the man with the plane fly or not.

The writer is a Geo News correspondent based in Lahore.

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