By Fazal Amin Shinwari
TORONTO: Shafqat Ali, Member of Parliament in Canada, has become the country’s first federal minister of Pakistani origin. He has been appointed as President of the Treasury Board. Elected for a second term from Brampton, Shafqat Ali has been included in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet.
In the federal elections of Canada 2025, six Pakistani-origin Canadians have emerged victorious. Salma Zahid from Scarborough-Danforth, Iqra Khalid from Mississauga-Erin Mills, Shafqat Ali from Brampton-Chinguacousy Park, Yasser Naqvi from Ottawa Centre, Sameer Zuberi from Pierrefonds-Dollard, and Islam Rana from Hamilton Centre have won seats from the Liberal Party of Canada. Salma Zahid, Iqra Khalid, Shafqat Ali, Yasser Naqvi, and Sameer Zuberi have previously served as Members of Parliament, while Islam Rana has been elected for the first time.
Over 50 Pakistani-origin candidates contested this year, reflecting the community’s growing political presence. Ali’s appointment marks a milestone for diversity and representation in Canadian politics.
