Jan Achakzai

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Jan Achakzai
Information Minister of Balochistan (caretaker)
Incumbent
Assumed office
August 2023
Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif
Personal details
BornJan Muhammad Khan Achakzai
1970 (age 54–55)
Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan
PartyPakistan Muslim League (N) (2016–present)
Other political
affiliations		Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (2013–2015)

Jan Muhammad Khan Achakzai[a] (born 1970) is a Pakistani politician and writer who is serving as the caretaker information minister of Balochistan since August 2023. He is one of the leading members of the Pakistan Muslim League (N).

Biography

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Jan Muhammad Khan Achakzai was born in 1970 in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, to a family belonging to the Achakzai tribe of Durrani Pashtuns. He studied at the University of Balochistan and later University of London.[1]

Achakzai spent nearly two decades in the United Kingdom and became associated with the BBC World Service and Voice of America.[1] As a writer, he worked with Balochistan Times for six years.[1] Achakzai launched his own magazine Quetta Gazzett in 1996.[1]

After returning to Pakistan, Achakzai joined the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and served as their spokesperson from 2013 to 2015.[2] He was described as a "close aide" to JUI-F's leader Fazal-ur-Rahman.[2]

In September 2015, he left JUI-F after differences with some of their party leaders.[2] In June 2016, Achakzai joined Pakistan Muslim League (N) for its 'development-centric policies'.[3] He became a spokesperson for the PML-N's government under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.[4]

In August 2023, Achakzai was appointed caretaker information minister of Balochistan.[4]

Achakzai has expressed views highly critical of the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani Taliban.[5]

Notes

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  1. ^ Urdu: جان محمد خان اچکزئی; Pashto: جان محمد خان اڅکزی

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Jan Achakzai's Biography". Muck Rack. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  2. ^ a b c "Jan Achakzai quits JUI-F over differences with leaders". The Express Tribune. 2015-09-11. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  3. ^ "Jan Achakzai joins PML-N for its 'development-centric policies'". The Nation. 2016-06-19. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  4. ^ a b Shahid, Saleem (2023-08-22). "Five ministers inducted into Balochistan cabinet". Dawn. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  5. ^ "Jan Achakzai warns Afghan govt on terrorism support". Dawn. 2023-12-17. Retrieved 2025-12-08.