Ahad Cheema

Ahad Khan Cheema is a retired Pakistani bureaucrat who is the current Federal Minister of Economic Affairs, appointed on 11 March 2024.

Previously, he has served as a chief executive officer (CEO) of the Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Company and director-general of the Lahore Development Authority. In 2018, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Cheema on charges related to irregularities in the Ashiana Housing Scheme project during his time as chairman of the LDA.

After completing his education, he joined Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) in 2001.

Professional career Cheema has served in executive positions as chief executive officer (CEO), director or board member of companies such as Pakistan Telecommunication Co. Ltd, Pak Arab Refinery Ltd and Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power (Pvt) Ltd. During Sharif's tenure as Chief Minister, Cheema served as the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore as well as the Director General of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA). However, the Election Commission of Pakistan ordered the caretaker government to remove Cheema from the caretaker cabinet following a petition filed against him.

Controversies

Ashiana Housing Scheme In 2018, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Cheema on charges related to irregularities in the Ashiana Housing Scheme project during his time as chairman of the LDA.

In June 2022, Cheema's wife, a civil servant, requested a fee waiver for their sons due to her transfer to Islamabad. She sought a leave of absence, but the principal denied the fee waiver, citing policy. Governor Rehman intervened on March 21, 2024, granting the sons a leave of absence with a full fee waiver, sparking the principal's resignation and raising concerns about political interference in the college's administration.