Shehryar Khan Afridi


Shehryar Khan Afridi is a Pakistani politician who served as the Minister of State for Interior from 31 August 2018 to 18 April 2019. He has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since August 2018. Previously, he was also a member of the National Assembly from June 2013 to May 2018. He is serving as the Minister of State for States and Frontier Regions since 18 April 2019. He was also given an additional charge of the Ministry of Narcotics Control after the death of Ali Mohammad Mahar. Since 13 May 2020, Afridi is serving as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir.

Early life and education

He was born on 12 March 1971.
He received a master's degree in International Relations from the University of Peshawar.
He wanted to join the Civil Services of Pakistan but was not selected as he failed in the examination.

Political career

Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan

Afridi ran for the seat of National Assembly of Pakistan as an independent candidate from Constituency NA-14 in 2002 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful. He received 12,083 votes and lost the seat to a candidate of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal.
Afridi was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from Constituency NA-14 in 2013 Pakistani general election. He received 68,129 votes and defeated a candidate of Jamiat Ulema-e Islam .
He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-32 in 2018 Pakistani general election. He received 82,248 votes and defeated Gohar Mohammad Khan Bangash, a candidate of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal.

Minister of State for Interior

On 28 August 2018, he was named by Imran Khan as Minister of State for Interior. On 31 August 2018, he was sworn in as Minister of State for Interior in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Minister of State for States and Frontier Regions

On 18 April 2019, he resigned as Minister of state for interior, and was appointed as the minister of state for States and Frontier regions.

Minister of State for Narcotics Control (Additional Charge)

Later he was given the additional portfolio of Ministry of Narcotics Control.

Chairman Kashmir Committee

On 13 May 2020, Shehryar Khan Afridi was appointed as the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir. The parliamentary special committee of Kashmir is composed of Senior Members of the National Assembly and the Senate.
The Committee has the following functions:
  • To monitor human rights violations and atrocities being committed by the Indian Forces in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir and raise these issues as they arise in all necessary forms.
  • To increase awareness within as well as outside the country about the Kashmir issues.
  • To mobilize world opinion in support of the cause of right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the principle stand of Pakistan.
  • To solicit and provide political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for their right of self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.
  • To make efforts to monitor and improve the performance of the Organizations working on Kashmir and to provide guidance whenever required.
  • To consider and decide such other issues and matters relating to above which may be referred to it by the House from time to time. and
Matters ancillary to the above.

Residence controversy

In October 2018, Afridi was accused of using public funds worth millions of rupees to renovate and redecorate his new residence. Following which Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the issue and ordered Federal Investigation Agency to carry out the investigation.

Personal life

In May 2020, Afridi tested positive for COVID-19 during the coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan.