Hamid Raza Gilani
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Hamid Raza Gilani received his early education at Aitchison College, Lahore, Pakistan. Later he studied in England and was called to the Bar at Gray's Inn. He started his political career in 1962 when he was elected unopposed from Multan to the National Assembly during the government of President Ayub Khan. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs. During this time he became a close friend of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Mr. Gilani lost the election in 1970, joined the Pakistan Peoples Party, and was appointed ambassador to Kenya where he served from 1971 to 1975.
Upon returning to Pakistan in 1975 he contested elections on a PPP ticket and was elected to the National Assembly yet again. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was the Prime Minister at the time appointed him in his cabinet as Minister for Industries.
During President Zia ul-Haq's regime, Mr. Gilani's group won the local bodies elections in Multan with an overwhelming majority. He was elected to the National Assembly in the non-party polls in 1985. He served as a senator from 1990 to 1997.
Mr. Gilani played a major role in Anjuman Islamia, an organization responsible for establishing over 24 schools and colleges in Multan. He also served as the chairman of the board of governors of Nishtar Medical College & Hospital, Multan. His father Makhdoom Muhammad Raza Gilani had been the chairman of Multan District Council.