Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali (born 21 November 1971) is a Pakistani politician who is Member of the Senate of Pakistan since 16 January 2026.

Previously, he served as Minister of State for Power, in office from August 2017 to May 2018. Previously he served as the Minister of State for Water and Power from 2013 to 2017. He has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 2002 to 2018.

He was elected as the member of Senate of Pakistan, was elected in December 2025 on Pakistan Muslim League (N) ticket.

Early life and education Ali was born in Faisalabad, Punjab on 21 November 1971. Ali is the son of former mayor of Faisalabad and senior PML-N leader Chaudhry Sher Ali, who is a relative of Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif; Ali is a nephew of Nawaz Sharif. He holds a master's degree in business and finance.

Political career Ali was elected as the member of the National Assembly of Pakistan on the ticket of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) from constituency NA-84 (Faisalabad-X) in Pakistani general election, 2002. He was re-elected as the member of the National Assembly of Pakistan on the ticket of the PML-N from constituency NA-84 Faisalabad in Pakistani general election, 2008. Ali was re-elected for the third consecutive time as the member of the National Assembly of Pakistan on the ticket of the PML-N from his constituency in Pakistani general election, 2013.

In July 2013, Ali was appointed as the Minister of State for Water and Power. He had ceased to hold ministerial office in July 2017 when the federal cabinet was disbanded following the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after Panama Papers case decision. Following the election of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2017, he was inducted into the federal cabinet of Abbasi. He was appointed as the Minister of State for Power, a division under then-newly created Ministry of Energy.

He ran for the seat of the National Assembly from NA-108 (Faisalabad-VIII) as a candidate of PML(N) in the 2018 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful and lost the seat to Farrukh Habib, a candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

After the 2018 general elections, Hamza Shahbaz resigned from his National Assembly seat, NA-124 (Lahore). Abid Sher Ali submitted nomination papers to contest the subsequent by-election as a Pakistan Muslim League (N) candidate. However, the party leadership opted to award the ticket to senior PML-N figure and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Abbasi contested the by-election as the official PML-N candidate, while Abid Sher Ali also ran independently and was defeated by Abbasi.

He ran for the seat of the National Assembly from NA-108 (Faisalabad-VIII) as a candidate of PML(N) in the 2022 Pakistan by-elections but was unsuccessful. He received 75,421 votes and lost the seat to chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan.

He ran for the seat of the National Assembly from NA-102 Faisalabad-VIII as a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-(N)) in the 2024 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful, with heavy margin of 32,225 he received 100,320 votes and lost the seat to Changaiz Ahmed Khan Kakar, an independent candidate supported by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who received 132,526 votes.

He was elected to Senate of Pakistan as unopposed in December 2025, after the death of Senator Irfan Saddique.

Controversies

Corruption inquiries and related allegations

Media reports have linked Abid Sher Ali and members of his family to various corruption-related inquiries. In 2020–2021, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reportedly initiated investigations involving his father concerning alleged irregularities in the allotment of government land.“NAB initiates inquiry into land allotment case”, Pakistan Today. Additional reporting on his political activities in 2022–2023 often described him as “facing corruption charges,” though many of these allegations were part of broader anti-corruption drives targeting multiple political figures.“Abid Sher Ali returns after years abroad”, Business Recorder. These references were largely based on public perception and media commentary rather than any completed prosecution.

Legal cases, arrest warrants and court actions

In January 2024, an Anti-Terrorism Court reportedly issued arrest warrants for Abid Sher Ali in relation to a property-sale dispute in which the complainant alleged fraud and threats.ARY News, “ATC issues warrants for PML-N leader”. Separate earlier legal proceedings involving his brother, Amir Sher Ali, resulted in acquittal by the Supreme Court in 2014, an outcome noted in media coverage of public-sector corruption cases.Tribune, “Supreme Court acquits Amir Sher Ali”.

Election-related disputes and code-of-conduct issues

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued notices to Abid Sher Ali during the NA-108 (Faisalabad) by-election in 2022 for alleged violations of the election code of conduct.Express Tribune, “ECP issues notice to Abid Sher Ali”. A district monitoring officer also imposed a fine for breaching campaign guidelines.Dawn, “Fine imposed for violating ECP code”. Abid Sher Ali has also filed several petitions for recounts and challenges to close election results. Some of these petitions were dismissed by election tribunals and the Lahore High Court, according to press reporting.Dawn, “LHC dismisses election recount plea”.

FIRs and public-order complaints

In October 2022, Faisalabad police registered a First Information Report (FIR) naming Abid Sher Ali and others in connection with allegations of violence and firing during a political incident, resulting in injuries to a worker of a rival party.Express Tribune, “FIR registered against PML-N leaders in Faisalabad incident”. The case drew further political attention due to heightened tensions in the district at the time.

Period of self-exile and return

News coverage noted that Abid Sher Ali spent several years abroad before returning to Pakistan in 2022. Reports described the period as self-exile amid references to pending legal matters and ongoing political rivalries.Business Recorder, “Abid Sher Ali returns to Pakistan after years abroad”. 23 November Election In November 2025, during the by-elections, Senator Abid Sher Ali faced scrutiny regarding an alleged breach of ballot secrecy in Faisalabad. A video circulating on social media showed the Senator marking his ballot paper in front of cameras rather than behind the designated secrecy screen at the polling station. The Returning Officer for PP-116 subsequently summoned him to explain the incident, and the matter was also referred to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for further proceedings.

2018 National Assembly altercation In April 2018, Abid Sher Ali was involved in a physical scuffle with another lawmaker inside the National Assembly, which gained significant national media attention. This incident reflected the tense political atmosphere in the assembly at the time.

Office held Term StartOfficeTerm end2002Member of the National Assembly20182013Minister of State for Water and Power20172017Minister of State for Power20182019Senior Vice-President of PML-Nincumbent2025Member of the Senate of Pakistan2027

References