Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi (Jatt Of Gujrat)

Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi (assassinated on September 25, 1981) was a visionary Pakistani statesman who rose to prominence from a small town of Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan. Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi’s political career was based on hard work, commitment and sacrifice. He fought all his life for the rule of democracy in Pakistan. Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi has bequeathed a rich political legacy to his family and political followers. Today, the Chaudhry Family of Gujrat commands the nation's respect for its strong commitment to this rich legacy and furthering Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi's traditions of principled politics and selfless services for Pakistan.

Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi began his career in the police force but gave it up soon after the creation of Pakistan and ventured into business in association with his Elder brother Ch. Manzoor Elahi, who was a textile engineer by profession. The two brothers jointly purchased and operated a textile mills after independence of Pakistan in Gujrat. Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Shaheed was a Jat of the Warriach clan and lived all his life up to the Jat values of wisdom and valour. He entered local politics in the 1950s. During Ayub Khan's rule, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi had become widely known for his stolid defiance and bold refusal to submit to the whims and caprices of the mighty. During this period, the tyrannical governor of West Pakistan, Nawab of Kalabagh Amir Mohammad Khan, was particularly venomous in his comments against Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi. Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi wrested the leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League out of the clutches of a handful of opportunist politicians and with his exceptional negotiation skills coupled with his unique brand of politics, he singlehandedly transformed Pakistan Muslim League into a force to reckon with. As the Secretary-General of the Convention Muslim League, he came to oppose Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Bhutto never forgot this. On coming into power, Bhutto never lost an opportunity to victimise Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi but the brave Jat from Gujrat never gave in. In his conflict with Bhutto, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi was imprisoned and his family property was confiscated by the Government. Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi was assassinated in 1981 by a terrorist group with links to the Bhutto family