Metro53 - Gujrat (Web Desk) During the rule of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, the political family that gained the most influence and advantage was widely considered to be the Chaudhry brothers of Gujrat. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi emerged as key pillars of power and played a decisive role in Pakistan’s politics during that period.
Following the 1999 military takeover, General Musharraf restructured the political landscape, breaking away factions from traditional parties to form the Pakistan Muslim League (Q). Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was appointed as the head of the new political party, while control of Punjab — the country’s most influential province — was handed to Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. This arrangement firmly tilted both federal and provincial power in favor of the Chaudhry brothers.
According to information cited from a column by senior journalist and analyst Javed Chaudhry, a strong background connection played a crucial role in this rise. Musharraf’s Principal Secretary Tariq Aziz, who had been a classmate of the Chaudhry brothers at FC College, acted as a bridge between the military ruler and the Chaudhry family. Years of personal familiarity and mutual trust provided the Chaudhry brothers direct access to the corridors of power.
During the Musharraf era, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s residence in Islamabad effectively became an informal political center, attracting politicians, bureaucrats, and influential figures from across the country. Meanwhile, in Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was projected as a powerful chief minister who openly supported Musharraf’s presidency and policies. His 2007 declaration on the floor of the Punjab Assembly — pledging to elect Musharraf president in uniform ten times — further highlighted this loyalty.
Political analysts, however, note that this rise was closely tied to the shadow of power. As soon as General Musharraf’s rule came to an end, the political strength of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and the Chaudhry brothers also began to decline. The era when political gatherings revolved around Musharraf’s name gradually faded into history.
This story underscores a recurring reality of Pakistan’s politics: power alliances are often temporary. While Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi were among the biggest beneficiaries of the Musharraf era, the passage of time eventually dimmed the shadows of that power.
