A first generation Canadian, Yasir’s family arrived in Canada in 1988 after the Pakistani government imprisoned his father for leading a pro-democracy march. With an upbringing deeply rooted in the values of democracy, Yasir believes strongly in public service.

First elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in October 2007, Yasir served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministers of Community Safety and Correctional Services and Revenue, until he was appointed the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education.

As the MPP of a diverse, urban riding, Yasir has been a tireless advocate for public services and sustainable community growth. Working closely with the community, Yasir helped secure funding to build over 350 new affordable housing units, two new buildings and an expanded library at Carleton University, and a new Chinatown Gateway. In representing the views of his diverse riding, he has also introduced four Private Member's Bills, the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, the Independent Board of Public Health Act, the Escaping Domestic Violence Act, and the College and University Student Associations Act, each originating from an idea of a constituent.

Yasir is recognized by his peers as a strong community leader and involved resident of Ottawa Centre. He has sat on the Board of Directors of the Centretown Community Health Centre for four years and he has been the Co-Chair of the Capital Food Bank Blitz since 2005. Over the last six years, the food blitz has raised 275,000 pounds of food for those in need in our community!