Meet the six Pakistani-Canadians elected in Canada's 2025 Federal election
Among the winners are five returning Members of Parliament and one new MP, reflecting that Pakistani-Canadians' growing political influence and the Liberal Party's inclusive platform. Some 50 candidates of Pakistani origin contested this year's federal election, highlighting an increasing level of civic engagement from the community across Canada.
The successful candidates include: Salma Zahid (Don Valley East, Scarborough), Iqra Khalid (Erin Mills, Mississauga), Shafqat Ali (Brampton—Chinguacousy Park), Yasir Naqvi (Ottawa Centre), Sameer Zuberi (Pierrefonds — Dollard — Quebic), and Aslam Rana (Hamilton Centre).
All, except newcomer Aslam Rana, have previously served as MPs and have built strong reputations in their respective ridings. Notably, Rana's win in Hamilton Centre marks a political shift, unseating the NDP after two decades of dominance in the area.
Iqra Khalid
Elected first in 2015, Iqra Khalid has held her seat in Mississauga—Erin Mills through multiple terms. Born in Pakistan in 1985, she immigrated to Canada via the UK in 1998. A graduate of York University in criminology and professional writing, Khalid later earned a law degree and worked in immigration services. As a Parliamentarian, she has championed human rights and diversity initiatives.
Salma Zahid
Representing Don Valley East since 2015, Zahid is a seasoned politician with a background in public service and community organising. Born in Coventry, UK, and raised in Pakistan, she holds an MBA from Quaid-i-Azam University and a master's degree from the University of London. Zahid has been recognised for her advocacy on behalf of racialised women and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Shafqat Ali
A real estate professional turned politician, Shafqat Ali won his first seat in 2021 and now represents the newly formed riding of Brampton—Chinguacousy Park. Ali also played a role in the 2025 Liberal leadership race, supporting Mark Carney's bid.
Yasir Naqvi
Previously active in Ontario provincial politics, Yasir Naqvi now serves as MP for Ottawa Centre. Born in Karachi, Naqvi has built a solid political resume, focusing on justice reform, community safety, and public engagement.
Sameer Zuberi
Representing Pierrefonds — Dollard since 2019, Zuberi is of mixed Pakistani, Scottish, and Italian heritage. He serves as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities and sits on the Foreign Affairs committee. Zuberi's background in law and human rights advocacy has shaped his parliamentary work.
Aslam Rana
The newest face among the group, Rana claimed victory in Hamilton Centre, ending a 20-year NDP stronghold. An engineer by profession and community leader by passion, Rana has been active in the Liberal Party since 2010. He migrated from Multan to Hamilton in 2003 and has focused on uplifting underrepresented communities.
2025 Canadian Federal Election
The 45th Canadian general election, held in April 2025, resulted in a hung Parliament with no party securing a clear majority. The Liberal Party, led by a new leader Mark Carney following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's departure from politics, managed to hold onto power by forming government with the support of smaller progressive parties. The Conservative Party saw gains in Western Canada, while the New Democratic Party struggled to maintain its traditional urban strongholds.
Voter turnout was reported at just over 66%, slightly higher than in the 2021 election, with youth and immigrant communities showing increased participation. The election highlighted key issues such as affordability, climate policy, housing, and public healthcare — all areas where many of the elected Pakistani-Canadian MPs have pledged to push for progress.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Air Canada to resume service gradually after deal to end cabin crew strike
Air Canada's unionised flight attendants reached an agreement with the country's largest carrier on Tuesday, ending the first strike by its cabin crew in 40 years that had upended travel plans for hundreds of thousands of passengers. The strike that lasted nearly four days had led the airline that serves about 130,000 people daily to withdraw its third-quarter and full-year earnings guidance. Shares of Air Canada rose 4% in early trading. They have lost 14% of their value so far this year. The carrier said it would gradually resume operations and a full restoration may require a week or more, while the union said it has completed mediation with the airline and its low-cost affiliate Air Canada Rouge. "The Strike has ended. We have a tentative agreement we will bring forward to you," the Canadian Union of Public Employees said in a Facebook post. Air Canada said some flights will be canceled over the next seven to ten days until the schedule is stabilized and that customers with canceled flights can choose between a refund, travel credit, or rebooking on another airline. The flight attendants walked off the job on Saturday after contract talks with the carrier failed. They had sought pay for tasks such as boarding passengers. While the details of the negotiations were not immediately released, the union said the unpaid work was over. The CUPE, which represents Air Canada's 10,400 flight attendants, wanted to make gains on unpaid work that go beyond recent advances secured by their counterparts at U.S. carriers like American Airlines AAL.O. In a rare act of defiance, the union remained on strike even after the Canada Industrial Relations Board declared its action unlawful. Their refusal to follow a federal labor board order for the flight attendants to return to work had created a three-way standoff between the company, workers and the government. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu had urged both sides to consider government mediation and raised pressure on Air Canada on Monday, promising to investigate allegations of unpaid work in the airline sector. Over the past two years, unions in aerospace, construction, airline and rail sectors have pushed employers for higher pay, improved conditions and better benefits amid a tight labor market. Air Canada's flight attendants have for months argued new contracts should include pay for work done on the ground, such as boarding passengers. Its CEO had on Monday in a Reuters interview stopped short of offering plans to break the deadlock, while defending the airline's offer of a 38% boost to flight attendants' total compensation. While many customers had expressed support for the flight attendants, frustration with flight cancellations was growing. Retiree Klaus Hickman missed a flight to Toronto earlier in the week. While he rebooked on another airline, he was concerned about returning to Calgary on time for a connecting flight to Germany. Hickman sympathizes with workers demanding better pay but is worried about his own health and travel challenges. "They want to get more money to survive. And so it is with everybody else," he said. Canada's largest carrier normally carries 130,000 people daily and is part of the global Star Alliance of airlines. James Numfor, 38, from Regina, Saskatchewan, had been stranded in Toronto for two nights since returning from Cameroon for his brother's funeral. Air Canada only provided one night in a hotel for his family before leaving them without further support, he said. He had slept in the airport with his family.
Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Dubai Eye
Air Canada suspends profit forecast as striking union defies back-to-work order
Air Canada suspended its third-quarter and annual profit forecasts on Monday as its planes remained grounded after striking flight attendants refused a government-backed order to return to work and called on the airline to get back to the bargaining table. The carrier, which normally carries 130,000 people daily and is part of the global Star Alliance of airlines, had planned to start ramping up operations on Sunday evening, after a labor relations board ordered the union to return to work and start binding arbitration. The Canadian Union of Public Employees said no, setting the stage for a standoff with the Canadian government. The union, which represents 10,000 Air Canada cabin crew, had pushed for a negotiated solution, saying binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline. The attendants are striking for better wages and to be paid for work on the ground such as boarding passengers. They are now only paid when planes are moving, sparking some vocal support from Canadians on social media. In a written order, Canada's Industrial Relations Board on Monday declared the strike unlawful following union's refusal to return to work. The union said it would continue its strike and invited Air Canada back to the table to "negotiate a fair deal". The airline said it would delay plans to restart operations from Sunday until Monday evening and described the union as illegally defying the labor board. The government's options to end the strike now include asking courts to enforce the order to return to work and seeking an expedited hearing. The minority government could also try to pass legislation that would need the support of political rivals and approval in both houses of parliament, which are on break until September 15. "The government will be very reticent to be too heavy-handed because in Canada the Supreme Court has ruled that governments have to be very careful when they take away the right to strike, even for public sector workers that may be deemed essential," said Dionne Pohler, professor of dispute resolution at Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations School. Another option is to encourage bargaining, Pohler said. The government did not respond to requests for comment. On Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government moved to end the strike by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order binding arbitration. The CIRB issued the order, which Air Canada had sought, and unionized flight attendants opposed. The previous government, under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, intervened last year to head off rail and dock strikes that threatened to cripple the economy, but it is highly unusual for a union to defy a CIRB order. The CUPE said its rejection was unprecedented when such an order was made according to rules, known as Section 107, that the government invoked in this case. Travelers at Toronto Pearson International Airport over the weekend said they were confused and frustrated about when they would be able to fly. Italian Francesca Tondini, 50, sitting at the Toronto airport, said she supported the union even though she had no idea when she would be able to return home. "They are right," she said with a smile, pointing at the striking attendants. The dispute between cabin crews and Air Canada hinges on the way airlines compensate flight attendants. Most, including Air Canada, have paid them only when planes are in motion. In their latest contract negotiations, flight attendants in both Canada and the U.S. have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks such as boarding passengers. New labor agreements at American Airlines and Alaska Airlines legally require carriers to start the clock for paying flight attendants when passengers are boarding. American's flight attendants are now also compensated for some hours between flights. United Airlines' cabin crews, who voted down a tentative contract deal last month, also want a similar provision.
Dubai Eye
3 days ago
- Dubai Eye
Air Canada grounded as striking union defies order to get back to work
Air Canada's fleet of hundreds of planes remained grounded on Monday morning after striking flight attendants refused a government-backed order to get back to work and called on the airline to return to the bargaining table. The carrier, which normally carries 130,000 people daily and is part of the global Star Alliance of airlines, had planned to start ramping up operations on Sunday evening, after a labor relations board ordered the union to return to work and start binding arbitration. The union said no, setting up an almost unprecedented standoff with the Canadian government, which had requested the back-to-work order. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 10,000 Air Canada cabin crew, had pushed for a negotiated solution, saying binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline. The attendants are striking for better wages and to be paid for work on the ground, such as boarding passengers. They currently are only paid when planes are moving, sparking some vocal support from Canadians on social media. CUPE invited Air Canada back to the table to "negotiate a fair deal," calling the order to end its strike unconstitutional. The airline said it would delay plans to restart operations from Sunday until Monday evening and described the union as illegally defying the labor board. The government's options to end the strike now include asking courts to enforce the order to return to work and seeking an expedited hearing. The minority government could also try to pass legislation that would need the support of political rivals and approval in both houses of parliament, which are on break until September 15. "The government will be very reticent to be too heavy-handed because in Canada the Supreme Court has ruled that governments have to be very careful when they take away the right to strike, even for public sector workers that may be deemed essential," said Dionne Pohler, professor of dispute resolution at Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations School. Another option is to encourage bargaining, Pohler said. The government did not respond to requests for comment. On Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government moved to end the strike by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order binding arbitration. The CIRB issued the order, which Air Canada had sought, and unionized flight attendants opposed. The previous government, under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, intervened last year to head off rail and dock strikes that threatened to cripple the economy, but it is highly unusual for a union to defy a CIRB order. The CUPE said its rejection was unprecedented when such an order was made according to rules, known as Section 107, that the government invoked in this case. Travellers at Toronto Pearson International Airport over the weekend said they were confused and frustrated about when they would be able to fly. The dispute between cabin crews and Air Canada hinges on the way airlines compensate flight attendants. Most, including Air Canada, have traditionally paid them only when planes are in motion. In their latest contract negotiations, flight attendants in both Canada and the United States have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks such as boarding passengers. New labour agreements at American Airlines and Alaska Airlines legally require carriers to start the clock for paying flight attendants when passengers are boarding.
