Javed Ashraf Qazi

Javed Ashraf Qazi , HI(M), SBt, (born 4 September 1941) is a Pakistani military officer and politician who served as a member of the senator during Pervez Musharraf administration. He also served as a cabinet minister, first as Communications Minister (2000–2002) and then as Education Minister (2004–2007). Previously, during his army career, Qazi headed the ISI from 1993 to 1995 and Military Intelligence from 1990 to 1991.

Qazi left the post in 1995 to assume the command of XXX Corps at Gujranwala. Qazi retired from the army in February 1996.

Political career Qazi started his political career after taking over as the Secretary of Science and Technology Division in 1996. He continued this post under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif until 1997. He was later inducted as the Secretary of Railways in October 1999 by the new military leader General Pervez Musharraf, which he continued until 2000.

Controversies During his tenure as Federal Education Minister in General Pervez Musharraf's cabinet, Mr. Qazi stirred up controversy when in a talk show he erroneously mentioned that Quran has 40 parts (Juz') instead of 30.

He was accused of transferring tens of hundreds of acres of prime railway land in Lahore to a Malaysian firm during General Musharraf's regime in 2001 for development of a golf course called Royal Palms Gold and Country Club.

Railway Golf course was on lease for Rs 12 per year to an association of retired railway officers. This lease was cancelled by the Railway Executive Committee and was awarded to a Malaysian firm after a bidding process. A case was initiated against the minister and Railway executive committee for misuse of power but was cleared by Accountability court as there was no allegations of corruption.