He is the son of the late Mumtaz Hussain Rathore, a celebrated former Prime Minister whose political legacy still echoes across the region. His mother, Begum Farhat Rathore, also left her mark as a member of the Legislative Assembly and head of the PPP Women’s Wing, making politics a natural part of Faisal Rathore’s upbringing.
Belonging to a family that helped lay the very foundations of the Pakistan Peoples Party in Azad Kashmir, Rathore grew up in an environment where public service was not merely a career path but a long-standing tradition. After receiving his early education in Rawalpindi, he completed his graduation from Punjab University, quietly preparing for a future that would later place him at the heart of regional politics.
His father’s impressive political journey، Senior Minister in 1975, Prime Minister in 1990, Leader of the Opposition in 1991, and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in 1996, cast a long shadow, but one that Faisal Rathore stepped into with steady determination. After his father’s passing, his elder brother briefly continued the legacy, yet it was Faisal who eventually emerged as the family’s principal political torchbearer.
Rathore contested his first election from LA-17 Haveli Kahuta in 2006, and five years later, in 2011, secured his first victory as a PPP candidate. He went on to serve as Minister for Hydropower and Electricity, establishing a reputation for calm efficiency and balanced judgement. His arrest in 2016, in what was later deemed a politically motivated case, only strengthened his standing when he was eventually declared innocent.
In 2017, he was appointed Secretary General of PPP Azad Kashmir, a position he continues to hold, trusted deeply by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Faryal Talpur alike. Winning again in the 2021 elections, he played a vigorous role in the opposition, often regarded as a voice of reason during turbulent political seasons.
By 2023, Rathore joined the coalition government of Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq as Minister for Local Government and Rural Development. He was also chosen to lead the government’s negotiation committee with the Awami Action Committee, where his calm demeanor and reconciliatory style proved invaluable.
Known for his measured tone, grace under pressure, and unblemished public image, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore enjoys rare goodwill across political circles, security institutions, civil society, and the general public. His experience in national media, including hosting a regular program on BOL TV, further sharpened his communication skills, giving him a connection with audiences beyond Azad Kashmir.
Today, as he stands nominated for the office of Prime Minister, he brings with him not just a distinguished lineage, but also a reputation built on integrity, patience, and steady leadership—qualities that have quietly made him one of the most respected political figures in the region.
