Hafiz Abdul Karim Elected Unopposed as Jamiat Ahle Hadith Chief

Hafiz Abdul Karim has been elected unopposed as the new emir (chief) of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith (JAH) following the death of former emir Professor Sajid Mir on May 3, 2025. Karim, previously the secretary-general of JAH, has a notable political background, having served as a member of the National Assembly from 2013 to 2018 and as Minister for Communications in 2017. He was also a senator from March 2018 to March 2024. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has nominated him for the Senate seat left vacant by Prof. Mir’s passing, after Mir’s son declined the offer. The Election Commission of Pakistan has scheduled the Senate election for May 29. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulations to Karim on his new role.