Raja Pervez Ashraf
A political survivor who rose from local politics to lead Pakistan during a turbulent period of energy crisis and judicial confrontation.
Born 1950 (age 76)·Pakistani politician·Birthday: December 26·Baby Boomers
Biography
Raja Pervez Ashraf's political journey is a testament to resilience within Pakistan's often-volatile democratic landscape. An electrical engineer and businessman from Sindh, he entered parliament in 2002, aligning himself with the Pakistan Peoples Party. His tenure as Minister for Water and Power was marred by the severe electricity shortages that gave him the unflattering nickname 'Raja Rental'. Yet, in 2012, he was the compromise candidate chosen to succeed Yousaf Raza Gillani as Prime Minister, steering a coalition government through its final year before historic elections. His later career saw a remarkable second act, culminating in his election as Speaker of the National Assembly in 2022, a role he used to navigate another period of intense political polarization until his term's end in 2024.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Raja was born in 1950, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Raja Was Born
The biggest hits of 1950
#1 Movie
Cinderella
Best Picture
All About Eve
#1 TV Show
Texaco Star Theatre
Raja's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1950Born
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1955Started school
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $9,550Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley & His CometsBest Picture: Marty
1963Became a teenager
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1966Could drive
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1968Could vote
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1971Turned 21
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1980Turned 30
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1990Turned 40
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 50
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 60
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 70
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 76 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as the 17th Prime Minister of Pakistan from June 2012 to March 2013, completing a full democratic term for his government.
- Elected as the 22nd Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan in April 2022, presiding over a historically contentious legislature.
- Held the cabinet portfolio of Minister for Water and Power, grappling with the nation's chronic energy crisis.
- Served as Senior Vice President of the multi-party Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance.
- Represented the constituency of NA-58 (Rawalpindi-II) as a Member of the National Assembly.
Did You Know?
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Sindh.
Before politics, he was a successful businessman and agriculturist with interests in sugar mills.
His nickname 'Raja Rental' originated from allegations related to rental power projects during his time as Power Minister.
He was the first Prime Minister of Pakistan to complete a full five-year term alongside President Asif Ali Zardari.
“Load-shedding is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted solution.”
