# Raza Hayat Hiraj

Barrister Muhammad Raza Hayat Hiraj (Urdu: محمد رضا حیات ہراج‎; born 21 July 1965) is a Pakistani politician who is the MNA from NA-144 (Khanewal-I) for the 16th National Assembly of Pakistan and has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 2002 to May 2018.

## Early life and education

He was born on 21 July 1965 to Mahr Khizar Hayat Hiraj.
He received his LLB degree from University of Leicester in 1992.

## Political career
### 2002 Election

He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) from Constituency NA-156 (Khanewal-I) in 2002 Pakistani general election. He received 86,438 votes and defeated Fakhar Imam, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) (PML-Q). He became part of Pervez Musharraf's cabinet and served as Minister of State for Information Technology, Law, Justice, Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, and Overseas Pakistanis.

#### United Nations

On 13 October 2003, he articulated Pakistan's stance during the plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly regarding equitable representation and the expansion of Security Council membership. He said:
   "Pakistan firmly believes that objectives of reform and expansion of the Security Council should be to promote greater democracy, and participation, and transparency, and accountability, in the work of the Security Council."

### 2008 Election

He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PML-Q from Constituency NA-156 (Khanewal-I) in 2008 Pakistani general election. He received 71,381 votes and defeated Syed Fakhar Imam, a candidate of PPP.

#### Bill to Disqualify MPs with Dual Nationalities

In April 2011, he introduced a private constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly seeking the disqualification of parliamentarians and bureaucrats holding dual nationalities or possessing assets or bank accounts outside Pakistan. Article 62 and 63 elaborate on the conditions under which a person can be removed. He remarked while presenting the bill before the House:
   Those who take oath of loyalty to another country cannot safeguard the interests of Pakistan.

#### Demand for New Province

In August 2011, he highlighted the disparities in resource allocation between central and South Punjab and demanded a new province. He said:
   Punjab spends around Rs. 25,000 per year on policing, health and education for one person in its central parts while the amount is reduced to Rs. 250 to 300 when it comes to a person in South Punjab. In our area, two cusec canal water is given for one thousand acres while in Faisalabad district they give 16 cusec for the same number of acres. If our demand for a new province is not met, we (MNAs from South Punjab) will resign from the National Assembly in protest.

### 2013 Election

He was re-elected as a member of the National Assembly as an independent candidate from Constituency NA-156 (Khanewal-I) in 2013 Pakistani general election. He received 79,675 votes and defeated Syed Fakhar Imam, a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N). He was accused of rigging in the election and Syed Fakhar Imam filled rigging petition against him in the Election Commission of Pakistan.
In May 2013, he joined PML-N. He served as Minister of Housing and Works from 3 May 2011 to 19 June 2012.

### 2018 Election

In March 2018, he quit PML-N and joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He participated as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-156 (Khanewal-I) in 2018 Pakistani general election and secured 92,039 votes but lost to Syed Fakhar Imam, who as an independent candidate secured 101,520 votes.

### 2024 Election

In the 2024 Pakistani general election, he participated as an independent candidate from Constituency NA-144 Khanewal-I against Syed Abid Imam, the son of Syed Fakhar Imam and Abida Hussain. He won with 118,999 votes, while Syed Abid Imam secured 78,269 votes. He joined PML-N on 14 February 2024. He took oath on 29 February 2024. On 7 March 2025, he was appointed Minister for Defence Production.