Muhammad Hamid Raza Sayhul[a] (born 17 July 1978) is a Pakistani politician and religious scholar who is the founder and chairman of the Sunni Ittihad Council (SIC) since 2013. He succeeded his father Fazal Karim as chairman of the SIC.
Hamid Raza | |
|---|---|
حامد رضا | |
 Raza in 2024 | |
| Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan | |
| In office 29 February 2024 – 5 August 2025 | |
| Succeeded by | Raja Daniyal Ahmed Khan |
| Constituency | NA-104 Faisalabad-X |
| Party leader of SIC | |
| Assumed office 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sahibzada Muhammad Hamid Raza Sayhul 17 July 1978 |
| Party | Sunni Ittihad Council (2009-present) |
| Relations | Sardar Ahmad Chishti (grandfather) |
| Parent |
|
Raza served as a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from February 2024 to August 2025 when he was disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for alleged involvement in the 9 May riots. In November 2025, he was arrested due to the conviction and sentanced 10-year imprisonment.
Early life and family
editMuhammad Hamid Raza Sayhul was born on 17 July 1978 in Lyallpur, Punjab, Pakistan to a family belonging to the Sayhul clan of Punjabi Jats. His father, Fazal Karim, was a religious scholar and politician who served as the main founder and leader of the Sunni Ittihad Council (SIC).[1] Raza has four siblings; his paternal grandfather Sardar Ahmad Chishti having also been an influential religious figure.[2][1]
Political career
editRaza was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in the 2024 Pakistani general election from NA-104 Faisalabad-X as an independent candidate supported by SIC. He received 132,655 votes while runner-up Daniyal Ahmed of PMLN received 92,610 votes.[3][4]
In February 2024, he announced an alliance with PTI.[5] Most PTI-backed independent candidates who won their MNA seats formally joined the PTI.[6]
On 31 July 2025, Raza and 195 others were convicted by a court in Faisalabad and sentenced to up to 10 years' imprisonment over the 2023 Pakistani protests.
On 5 August 2025, Election Commission of Pakistan disqualified him due to his conviction.[7][8]
In November 2025, Raza was arrested and sentenced a 10-year imprisonment for alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.[9]
Controversies
editNotes
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 "Sunni Ittehad Council leader Hamid Raza arrested in ISI office attack case". DAWN.COM. 20 May 2023. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ↑ Islam, Shamsul (16 April 2013). "Transitions: Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Fazal Karim dies". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ↑ "NA-104 - Faisalabad 10". Dunya News. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ↑ "NA-104 Faisalabad 10". Geo News. 17 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ↑ Junaidi, Ikram (20 February 2024). "PTI 'merges' with seatless party for three assemblies". Dawn News. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ↑ "86 PTI-backed lawmakers officially join Sunni Ittehad Council so far". Samaa TV. 21 February 2024. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ↑ "Pakistan watchdog disqualifies National Assembly opposition leader, other Imran Khan aides after riot convictions". Arab News. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ↑ "Pakistani opposition leader and nearly 200 Imran Khan supporters sentenced over 2023 riots". AP News. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ Saeed, News Desk | Tariq (7 November 2025). "May 9 riots case: Faisalabad ATC sends SIC chief Hamid Raza to jail to serve 10-year sentence". Dawn. Retrieved 12 April 2026.