Gholam Mujtaba

Gholam Mujtaba (Urdu: غلام مجتبی) (born 16 December 1955) is a Pakistani-American politician. He served as the provincial advisor in Sindh from 1992 to 1994.^[1] He was the leader of the coalition party to the Sindh Government from 1992 to 1994.^[2] Previously, he had been a student activist; he was elected General Secretary of the Karachi University Students Union in 1976, and served as a member of the University Senate and Syndicate in 1976–78. He is currently chair of the Pakistan Policy Institute in the United States.

Gholam Mujtaba
غلام مجتبی
Born	(1955-12-16) 16 December 1955 (age 69) Karachi, Pakistan
Nationality	Pakistani-American
Occupation	Politician
Term	Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister, 1992–93

Early life and family

Mujtaba was born in Karachi, Pakistan. His father, Gholam Mustafa, originally from Patna, Bihar, was the first Indian Muslim to top the University of Calcutta in 1937. He was also the General Secretary of the Muslim Students Federation's Calcutta chapter during the Pakistan independence movement. Family archives and historical documentation (Calcutta University alumni records, 1937)^[3] He received early education at Airport Model School, Rajshahi Cadet College, Modern Standard High School (Lahore), and Jamia Millia College (Karachi). He completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Karachi in 1978, where he also served as General Secretary of the Karachi University Students Union (1976–78) and as a member of both the University Senate and Syndicate.^[4] Karachi University Student Union records, 1976–78^[5] Mujtaba earned an M.Sc. in Pharmacology from King’s College London in 1987. Personal academic record, King’s College London (1987),^[6] a Doctor of Medicine from the American International School of Medicine in 2004, American International School of Medicine (M.D. conferral, 2004)^[7] and a Doctor of Education from Argosy University in 2016.Argosy University Doctoral Dissertation Archive (2016) ^[8]

Academic and professional career

He began his academic career as a lecturer in pharmacology at the University of Karachi and served as President of the Pharmacy Teachers Association of Pakistan (1987–88).^[9] Pharmacy Teachers Association of Pakistan, Annual Report 1988. He has authored peer-reviewed studies, including a well-cited article on the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on mesenteric arterial beds. Mujtaba G, Botting JH. Pakistan Journal of Pharmacology, 1987; 4(2):39–47^[10] Mujtaba later held leadership roles in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, including President of Mujtaba Clinics (NY & NJ), CEO of Omega Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Belize), CEO of Mujtaba Group of Pharmacies (UAE), and Associate Dean at American International University (South America). Mujtaba Clinics and American International University faculty directory ^[11]

Political career

Mujtaba served as Chief Organizer of the National People’s Party overseas (1988–92). He led a coalition in the Sindh Assembly and was appointed advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh in 1992.^[12] In 1993, he contested a seat in the National Assembly but was unsuccessful in his election bid. Later, he became Central Vice President of the All-Pakistan Muslim League (APML) and an associate of President Pervez Musharraf.^[13] He resigned due to policy differences related to Karachi politics.^[14] He has been actively involved in U.S. Republican politics for over 30 years, serving in roles such as a member of the President’s Victory Team and a New York State delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention.^[15] Dr. Mujtaba, along with his son Dr. Athar Mujtaba, is an elected County Committee official of the Republican Party in Passaic County, New Jersey.^[16] His younger son, Dr. Assad Mujtaba, contested the 2024 U.S. national elections in a predominantly Democratic district and secured over 84,000 votes, losing by a margin of only a few thousand votes.^[17]

Pakistan Policy Institute

Mujtaba is the Chairman of the Pakistan Policy Institute, a U.S.-based think tank focused on U.S.-Pakistan relations, security, and interfaith advocacy.^[18]

Publications

Mujtaba is the author of several books and peer-reviewed publications in the fields of pharmacology, politics, and Islamic scholarship. His selected works include: Scientific Publications: Mujtaba, Gholam; Botting, J.H. “Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase Pathways in Cardiovascular Systems.” Pakistan Journal of Pharmacology. 1988; 5(1): 37–44. ISSN 0255-7088.^[19] Mujtaba, Gholam; Botting, J.H. “Mechanisms of Vascular Reactivity.” Fifth South Asian Regional Conference on Pharmacology, Beijing, China, 1988, Abstract O-41.^[20] Books: Waqia-e-Meraj – an exploration of the Prophet’s journey from a scientific lens. Mujtaba, G. Waqia-e-Meraj, 2017.^[21] Haj & Umra (2018) – a practical guide for pilgrims. Mujtaba, G. Haj & Umra, 2018.^[22] The Political Ecology of Pakistan (2018) – a political treatise. Mujtaba, G. The Political Ecology of Pakistan, Friesen Press, 2018.^[23] Current Affairs and Opinion Writing: Mujtaba is also a regular contributor of international opinion articles on geopolitics, interfaith harmony, and civil-military leadership. His work has appeared in various international journals and newspapers, including Al Jazeera English and Health Matters Pakistan.^[24][25]

Honors and beliefs

Mujtaba is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health (UK),^[26] InterAmerican College of Physicians & Surgeons (USA), and Royal Society for the Promotion of Health (UK).^[27] He is known for advocating interfaith harmony, transparency in foreign aid, and opposition to dynastic politics in Pakistan.^[24][28] In recognition of his civic, diplomatic, and interfaith leadership, Mujtaba has received multiple honors: A Congressional Recognition Award from Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) on January 25, 2015, for his dedication to the Pakistani-American community and public service through the Pakistan Policy Institute USA.^[29] A Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) on June 10, 2023, commending his leadership in strengthening U.S.–Pakistan diplomatic ties.^[30] A Congressional Commendation Letter from Rep. Ron Estes (KS-04) on September 8, 2022, acknowledging his contributions to interfaith dialogue, economic resilience, and cultural advocacy.^[31] A signed photograph with a personalized message of appreciation from President Donald J. Trump in 2018, recognizing Mujtaba’s contributions to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and Pakistan.^[32]

Personal life

He was married to Dr. Kulsum Mujtaba, Pharm.D., an interfaith advocate and the niece of Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan. She died in 2016.^[33] His father, Gholam Mustafa, a distinguished civil servant and academic, died during Hajj in 1984 and is buried in Jannatul Mu'alla in Makkah. Dr. Mujtaba's children are established professionals in the United States, working in various sectors, including healthcare and real estate.^[34] The family has earned recognition for holding a combined total of eight doctoral degrees, setting an unmatched academic record for a Pakistani-American household.^[25]