Babar Saleem Khan Swati, recently elected as the Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, proudly upholds the legacy of his princely forebears who ruled Mansehra for generations.
The session for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly was presided over by the outgoing Speaker, Mushtaq Ghani.
With a wealth of historical knowledge, extensive experience, and political acumen, Swati, a member of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), emerged victorious in the February 8, 2024, general elections as an independent candidate supported by the beleaguered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
After PTI’s nominated candidate, Babar Saleem Swati, an MPA from Mansehra, secured victory in the election, the outgoing Speaker Mushtaq Ghani administered the oath of office.
Babar Saleem Swati received 89 votes, while Peoples Party’s Ihsan Ullah Khan managed to secure 17 votes.
Born on June 3, 1962, Swati belongs to the influential Jehangiri family of the Swati clan in Mansehra. His lineage is illustrious, tracing back to Sultan Jehangir Gabri, the ruler of the Sultanate of Swat. Grandson of Jageerdar Jummah Khan Swati, the fourth “Khan of Mansehra City” during British Rule, and great-grandson of Jageerdar Zaman Khan Swati, the third inherited “Khan of Mansehra” during Sikh rule, Swati’s roots are deeply embedded in the region’s history.
Educated at Islamia Public School, Mansehra, and Edwards College, where he excelled in his FSC exam in pre-engineering, Swati holds a BS (Hons) degree in Geology from the University of Peshawar, reflecting his academic prowess.
His political journey includes various leadership roles such as serving as PTI’s district and regional president for the Hazara Region. Swati also held executive positions in Pakistan State Oil, the state-run oil marketing company, and played a pivotal role as an administrator in an organization dedicated to the development of tribal areas.
In 2011, he entered local body elections, securing the position of Union Council Nazim. Subsequently aligning with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) after being denied a ticket, Swati faced challenges in the 2013 general elections as an independent candidate, staying committed to his political aspirations.
In the 2018 general elections, PTI provided him with an opportunity by offering a ticket to a provincial seat, which he successfully claimed. He later served as an advisor to the interior/home minister for a brief period.
In the recent February 8 general elections, Swati triumphed as a PTI-backed independent candidate in the provincial seat KP-37 Mansehra, defeating PML-N’s Sardar Zahoor Ahmed. His dedication to public service and political resilience remains evident, shaping his impactful contributions to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s political landscape.
Swati’s victory on February 8 signifies his political ascent, reaffirming the electorate’s faith in him. The enduring legacy of his ancestral governance, coupled with his commitment to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s development, now faces a critical test, with the region’s future hinging on his ability to meet the people’s expectations.
