Mohammad Asghar (known to his friends as Oscar) was born on 30 September 1945 in Peshawar. Asghar studied at Peshawar University and gained his Bachelor's degree (BA) before moving to Wales to complete
Mohammad Asghar
Mohammad Asghar (known to his friends as Oscar) was born on 30 September 1945 in Peshawar. Asghar studied at Peshawar University and gained his Bachelor's degree (BA) before moving to Wales to complete a course in accountancy at Nash College, in Newport.
Asghar is a Welsh politician, who has been a member of the Welsh Conservative Party, the Welsh Labour Party, and Plaid Cymru. He came to prominence after being elected to the Welsh Assembly in 2007 as a member of Plaid Cymru on the list for South Wales East.
He is best known for being the first British Pakistani member of the Welsh Assembly and being the first AM who was a member of a political party to defect. Asghar joined the Conservative Party in December 2009, when he left Plaid Cymru and became the first AM to 'cross the floor' and join another party in the Assembly's history.
Joining the Conservatives, along with his daughter Natasha, he said: 'For some time now I have felt out of tune with the views and policies of Plaid Cymru. My politics are very much in line with wanting a stronger Wales within a successful United Kingdom. I believe that the Welsh Conservative Party in the National Assembly reflects my beliefs.'
On 8 December 2009, Asghar became the first AM to cross the floor, defecting from Plaid Cymru to the Conservative Party. He claimed that he felt 'out of tune' with Plaid policies, described himself as a royalist and unionist and stated that he felt like 'a little parrot in a jungle'. Plaid Cymru called on Asghar to resign his seat following his defection.
Asghar joined Plaid Cymru sometime after becoming Wales’ first councilor of Pakistani origin, representing Victoria ward on Newport City Council. He has stood for Plaid Cymru in general elections. His political interests include economic development and combating social exclusion.
A qualified pilot, his interests outside politics include cricket, athletics and badminton.