Reyaz Ahmad Khan
Reyaz Ahmad Khan, popular as Sher e Kuthar, is an Indian politician from Jammu & Kashmir. He was elected to the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 2024, representing Shangus–Anantnag East Assembly constituency. He is a member of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference party. Reyaz Ahmad Khan is also member of House Committees on Subordinate Legislation and Privileges.
Early life
Khan belongs to the influential Khan dynasty of Shangus. He was born to Gull Mohd Khan and Sara Begum. Khan pursued his early schooling from a Govt School in neighbourhood. He completed his BSC from Government Degree College Khanabal and later did LLB from University of Kashmir.Career
He began his legal practice in the 1990s at the District Court in Anantnag and later extended his practice to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, building a legal career spanning more than 28 years. He is regarded as the most established and renowned Lawyer of Anantnag.Khan served as standing counsel for the Government of India for five years. He also served as president of the Anantnag Bar Association for two years and continues to serve as legal counsel for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.
Politics
Khan has been politically active since he joined the Bar Association. His peers honored him with the title "Voice of the Voiceless" for his advocacy. Khan is considered to be a close confidant of Abdullahs.In 2014, Khan officially became a member of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and was given the mandate to contest the assembly elections from Shangus, Anantnag. Although he lost, he secured approximately 11,000 votes.
Khan remained an active member of JKNC and is credited with playing a significant role in the party’s success in winning the Anantnag parliamentary seat twice. In 2024, he defeated four-time MLA and former minister by a margin of 18,000 votes, securing over 30,000 votes in total.
At present Khan is Vice President South Zone, comprising four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian. Khan previously served as South Zone Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.
Issues Raised
1) Dradpora-Choidraman Tunnel and Achabal-Shangus-Inderwal National Highway: The foremost issue that Reyaz Ahmad Khan raised was that of Dradpora Choidraman Tunnel connecting Marwah Valley in Kistwar to Anantnag therby providing an all weather road connectivity to the far flung area. MLA Shangus Reyaz Ahmad Khan is the pioneer of the idea of Achabal-Shangus Highway as an approach road to the Tunnel. Reyaz Ahmad Khan has also met CM Omar Abdullah in this regard and has submitted a memorandum to CM. CM Omar Abdullah wrote to Union Road Minister Nitin Gadkari who assured of active concideration of the Project. If this Project gets through, it will prove a magic wand for the area as it would not only connect Marwah to Anantnag but would increase Tourism potential of the area.2) SDH Shangus: Reyaz Ahmad Khan vociferously advocated for the restoration of consultant posts at SDH Shangus both inside and outside assembly. In the Board meeting held at Anantnag, CM Omar Abdullah directed for early restoration of posts after demand was raised by Reyaz Ahmad Khan.
3) Sevice Bond for Doctors: Reyaz Ahmad Khan proposed a service bond mandating postgraduate doctors to serve in rural areas to address healthcare shortages.
4) Seer Nambal Bridge and its approach road.
5) New Building for SDH Seer.
6) Source Issue: MLA Shangus raised the issue for availability of source of water for Kehribal and adjoining areas.