Sardar Nabil Ahmed Gabol (Urdu: سردار نبیل احمد گبول) is a Pakistani politician who has been a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 2024. Previously he had been a member of the National Assembly from 2002 to 2015 and a member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. He served as Minister of State for Ports and Shipping from 2008 to 2011 and as Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly from 1993 to 1996.

Nabil Gabol
نبیل گبول
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
Assumed office
29 February 2024
ConstituencyNA-239 Karachi South-I
In office
2002–2015
Minister of State for Ports and Shipping
In office
9 November 2008 – 9 February 2011
PresidentAsif Ali Zardari
Prime MinisterYousaf Raza Gillani
Deputy Speaker of Sindh Assembly
In office
18 October 1993 – 5 November 1996
Prime MinisterBenazir Bhutto
Personal details
Political partyPakistan Peoples Party (before 1997-2013, 2017-present)
Other political
affiliations
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (2013-2017)

Political career

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He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of Sindh as a candidate of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) from Constituency PS-85 (Karachi South-I) in Pakistani general election, 1988. He received 29,247 votes and defeated Khawaja Gulzar Nadeem, a candidate of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI).[1]

He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Sindh as a candidate of PPP from Constituency PS-88 (Karachi South-IV) in Pakistani general election, 1993. He received 21,587 votes and defeated Muhammad Aslam, a candidate of Haq Parast Group (HPG).[1] He served as Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh from October 1993 to November 1996.[2]

He ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh as a candidate of PPP from Constituency PS-88 (Karachi South-IV) in Pakistani general election, 1997 but was unsuccessful. He received 11,968 votes and lost the seat to Liaquat Ali Qureshi, a candidate of HPG.[1]

He was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PPP from Constituency NA-248 (Karachi-X) in Pakistani general election, 2002. He received 32,424 votes and defeated Naseer Uddin Swati, a candidate of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).[3]

2008 election

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He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PPP from Constituency NA-248 (Karachi-X) in Pakistani general election, 2008. He received 84,217 votes and defeated Abdul Shakoor Shad.[4] In November 2008, he was inducted into the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani[5] and was appointed as Minister of State for Ports and Shipping.[6] During this period, then Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, appointed his son Nadir to the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York without considering seniority or merit. In 2013, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) deemed the appointments illegal and unlawful and ordered the Interior Secretary to address the irregular posting of Nadir at the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York.[7][8] However, as of 2015, despite the court's orders, the government had not recalled Nadir, who was serving as the officer in charge of the machine readable passport section at the Consulate General.[9]

He served as Minister of State for Ports and Shipping until February 2011.[10] In February 2016, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) launched an investigation against Gabol over allegations of causing significant financial losses to the exchequer during his tenure as Minister of State for Ports and Shipping. He was accused of various offenses, including making illegal appointments in Karachi Port Trust and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, unauthorized allotment of plots, improper reimbursement of medical expenses, and unauthorized retention of vehicles.[11]

2013 election

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After he was marginalized by the leadership PPP, he announced to quit PPP in 2013 and joined Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).[12][13] He said PPP was no longer the party of Benazir Bhutto and therefore he left it.[14]

He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of MQM from Constituency NA-246 (Karachi-VIII) in Pakistani general election, 2013. He received 137,874 votes and defeated Amir Sharjeel, a candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). In the same election he also ran for the seat of the National Assembly as a candidate of MQM from Constituency NA-248 (Karachi-X) but was unsuccessful. He received 6,489 votes and lost the seat to Shah Jahan Baloch.[15] During a 2015 interview on Geo News, he disclosed of electoral rigging in his constituency,NA-246 (Karachi-VIII), from which he emerged victorious in the 2013 general elections. He recounted visiting polling stations on election day and observing minimal voter turnout. He claimed to have been informed that his victory was assured and that voters were not required. Furthermore, he expressed surprise upon discovering that he had received 140,000 votes despite the reported low voter turnout.[12]

In 2015, MQM demanded Gabol's resignation from the National Assembly seat.[16] Following which, he quit MQM and relinquished his National Assembly seat.[17] In 2016, Gabol declared his support for Imran Khan and announced to join the protest organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).[18] Afterward, he announced his intention to organize a public gathering to determine whether he should rejoin PPP or join the PTI.[19]

In February 2017, he re-joined PPP.[20] Opinions among residents of Lyari regarding Gabol's return to the PPP were divided, with some considering him irrelevant to Lyari's politics and holding him accountable for the presence of gangs in the area. PPP politicians in District South also expressed discontent, stating that the PPP leadership had not consulted them before readmitting Gabol into the party and emphasized his notoriety in Lyari. Additionally, there were rumors suggesting that Gabol was considering joining either the PTI or the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N). However, a faction within the PTI Sindh opposed his inclusion in the party, leading to his decision to rejoin the PPP.[21]

2024 election

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He was re-elected to the National Assembly in the 2024 Pakistani general election as a candidate of the PPP from constituency NA-239 Karachi South-I.[22] He received 40,077 votes, defeating PTI-backed independent candidate Mohammad Yasir Baloch, who received 37,234 votes. Baloch alleged election irregularities and contested Gabol's victory. However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) dismissed the petition and instructed Baloch to contest the constituency results in an election tribunal.[23][24]

Lyari unrest

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In August 2015, Dr. Jamil Ahmed, Deputy inspector general of police of Karachi's South district accused Gabol of attempting to instigate a law and order crisis in Lyari Town with the assistance of gangsters. In a press conference, he claimed that "Nabil Gabol had asked Ghaffar Zikri, one of the ringleaders of Lyari gang-war, to create disturbances in Lyari and that he (gangster) would be provided arms, ammunition and money for this purpose."[25] PPP politicians from Lyari, including Provincial Minister of Sindh for Human Settlement (then Katchi Abadis) Javed Nagori, and Sindh Assembly member Saniya Naz, also accused Gabol of deploying armed individuals to the Lyari area with the intention of fomenting unrest.[26]

His critics also accused Gabol of contributing to the rise of notorious gangs in Lyari. Gabol, however, denied the accusations.[27] In January 2011, hundreds of protesters from Lyari staged a demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club, blaming Gabol and holding him responsible for patronizing gangsters in Lyari.[28]

Controversies

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In August, 2018, he physically attacked an individual passenger at Karachi airport, which sparked widespread coverage in the media.[29] Gabol also issued threats of severe repercussions against the individual. Gabol claimed that the person in question was persistently hurling profanities at Pakistani politicians.[30]

In March 2020, police filed an attempted murder case against Gabol for purportedly assaulting and shooting at the residence of the chairman of the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society.[31] The complainant alleged that Gabol forcefully took a firearm from the guard at the chairman's residence and issued death threats.[32]

In April 2023, Gabol sparked outrage with misogynistic remarks, stating, "If rape is imminent, just enjoy it." In response, the PPP issued a show cause notice to Gabol.[33][34]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Sindh Assembly election results 1988-97" (PDF). ECP.
  2. ^ "National Assembly of Pakistan". www.na.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 9 December 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  3. ^ "2002 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  4. ^ "2008 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  5. ^ "28 new ministers to join Cabinet". The Nation. 3 November 2008. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  6. ^ "Five new portfolios created, seven cabinet slots vacant". DAWN.COM. 5 November 2008. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  7. ^ Reporter, A. (24 May 2013). "IHC orders action on irregular postings abroad". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  8. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (1 August 2012). "Key posts in passport office: Appointments and deputation postings illegal, says IHC". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  9. ^ "MRP section: Grade-18 officer posted against BS-17 post – Business Recorder". brecorder. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Cabinet of Prime Minister Gillani" (PDF). Cabinet division. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 May 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  11. ^ "NAB approves corruption references against PPP minister, others". Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  12. ^ a b "I witnessed poll rigging in NA-246: Nabeel Gabol". DAWN.COM. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Nabil Gabol quits PPP, joins MQM". DAWN.COM. 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  14. ^ "Nabil Gabol joins MQM, says PPP no longer Benazir's party". Geo News. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  15. ^ "2013 election result" (PDF). ECP. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  16. ^ "From Edgware Road to Edgware". The Friday Times. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  17. ^ "Nabil Gabol resigns from MQM, National Assembly | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 24 February 2015. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  18. ^ "Nabil Gabol to attend PTI's Nov 2 sit-in". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Nabil Gabol to pick either PTI or PPP, will ask public". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  20. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (23 February 2017). "Former MNA Nabil Gabol rejoins PPP". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Lyari divided over Nabil Gabol's return to PPP". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  22. ^ "PPP's Nabil Gabol clinches NA-239 seat from Karachi". DAWN.COM. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  23. ^ "ECP rejects PTI-back candidates pleas against results of three Karachi NA seats". 27 February 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Results of over 30 constituencies of Karachi challenged in SHC". Samaa Tv. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  25. ^ Ali, Imtiaz (2 August 2015). "Nabil Gabol wanted to create disturbances in Lyari, says DIG South". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Nabil Gabol behind Lyari unrest: PPP MPs". The Nation. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  27. ^ Mansoor, Hasan (5 March 2017). "Nabil Gabol: PPP's big hope for next elections in Karachi?". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Gabol accused of patronising gangsters". The Nation. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  29. ^ Ali, Imtiaz (6 August 2018). "Nabil Gabol 'manhandles' passenger at Karachi airport, later issues clarification". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  30. ^ "Nuggets from the Urdu press". The Friday Times. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  31. ^ Desk, Web (2 March 2020). "Murder attempt case registered against PPP's Nabil Gabol". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 5 April 2024. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  32. ^ "FCS chairman has reached compromise with Nabil Gabol, court told". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  33. ^ Report, Dawn (4 April 2023). "Gabol in hot water over 'rape analogy'". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Nabil Gabol's several sexist remarks cause uproar". The Express Tribune. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2024.