Sardar Usman Ahmed Khan Buzdar (Urdu: عثمان بزدار; born 1 May 1969[1]) is a Pakistani politician who was Chief Minister of Punjab from 20 August 2018 to 30 April 2022, when he was roundly criticised for alleged incompetence.

Buzdar was a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from August 2018 till January 2023 representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

[4] Buzdar received his early education from Government Boys Primary School in Barthi, Punjab.

He won the election to the Punjab Assembly constituency PP-286 Dera Ghazi Khan-II on a PTI ticket.

[9] His nomination surprised many in the PTI and received widespread criticism as he was a lesser known figure in Pakistan's political spectrum.

[22] Other analysts claimed the selection was because Buzdar lacked an independent power base, competence and was thus totally reliant on Khan to hold on to office.

[24] After assuming the office as the Chief Minister of Punjab, Buzdar held consultations with Imran Khan and formed a 23-member cabinet.

[34][35] Usman Buzdar's administration made significant initiatives in expanding educational opportunities in underdeveloped regions, particularly South Punjab.

[40] The Buzdar government also oversaw the establishment of 12 new universities across Punjab, reinforcing the goal of transforming the province into a hub of quality higher education.

[43] Following this, he announced the construction of the Government Postgraduate College for Women, Shadab Training Institute and building of special education center in Kamoke each of which were worth Rs.

[44][45][46] As Chief Minister, Usman Buzdar prioritized implementing the Sehat Sahulat Program throughout Punjab.

[47][48][49][50] He launched the Insaaf Medicine Card under the program to facilitate people suffering from various diseases including AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.

Usman Buzdar urged people to stay at home, practice social distancing and avoid unnecessary travel.

10 billion relief package for financial support of 2.5 million families of daily-wage earners on 28 March.

[57][58] The Punjab Minister for Finance Hashim Jawan Bakht said that the economic package would also help the health sector and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) cope with the crisis with an immediate funding of Rs.

Buzdar also stated that laboratories around the province would test 3,200 people every day for coronavirus and 10,000 doctors and paramedics were being recruited to fight the pandemic.

[60] The same year, Buzdar inaugurated a 52-km dual-carriageway from Dera Ghazi Khan to Muzaffargarh built at the cost of Rs.

[64] On 1 April 2022, his resignation was accepted by the Governor of Punjab, but he remained in office till the appointment of the new Chief Minister.

Following his nomination for the office of Chief Minister of Punjab in August 2018, reports had surfaced that a police case was registered against Buzdar and his father Sardar Fateh for their involvement in the murder of at least six people during local body elections in 1998.

[7] According to reports, an anti-terrorism court in Dera Ghazi Khan found Buzdar guilty and convicted him in January 2000.

[68][69][70][71] Buzdar's father later allegedly paid Rs 7.5 million as blood money to the victim's family to settle the murder case through a jirga.

[72][73][14][74] On 22 August 2018, Geo News claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity and that Buzdar was not the same person who was accused for the murders.