He was an Ottoman statesman. He made reforms in state administrative system, economy and education. He played an important role in the transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy. His real name was Ahmed Sefik. He was born in Istanbul, on 18^th October 1822. He spent his childhood in Istanbul, Vidin, and Lovec (Lofca) where his father was a substitute of judge. He had a special education. He worked in Divan-i Humayun, in 1834. Where he was given the pseudonym of “Midhat”. He learned Arabic and Persian. He worked as a clerk in Meclis-i Vukela (Council) that replaced Divan-i Humayun. He entered the Vizirate as a secretary, in 1840. Between 1842 – 1846, Midhat Pasha worked as the assistant of the documentation clerk of Divan in Konya and Kastamonu. He returned to Istanbul, in 1849 and worked as the clerk of the Official Reports Secretary in the Ministry of Judge.

He was appointed as second clerk of Anatolian Secretary of Ministry of Judge in 1852. In 1854, the Grand Vizier, Cypriot Mehmet Emin Pasha gave him a difficult duty to repress the revolt in Rumelia. Midhat Pasha provided the peace in Bulgaria and had travelled to important European cities for six months. After, he returned to Istanbul, he was given to the investigation the assassin plan to dethrone Sultan Abdulmecid. When Mehmed Emin Pasha was appointed the grand vizier for the second time, in 1861,Mithad Pasha was appointed as Nis Governor with the rank of vizier. He made successful reforms and impressed Sultan Abdulaziz. The sultan wanted him to prepare a general reform program. He led administration of “the City Regulations” (1864 - 1867). He established assemblies in cities and villages. He made official administrations that dealt with science and educational works. He founded Motherland Chest that served as the basement of Agricultural Bank. He made regulations that reduced the taxes. He established many technical schools named as “Islahane”.

In July 1872, Abdulaziz appointed Mithad Pasha as the grand vizier. Because of his independent actions he was dismissed after three months. He was appointed as Minister of Judge but he resigned in three months, because of the disagreement with grand vizier Nedim Pasha. Sultan Abdulhamid II had appointed Mithad Pasha as his grand vizier and he represented his constitution draft which he prepared with Ziya Pasha and Namik Kemal. The sultan rejected this draft and had had prepared another draft based on the French constitution. He added an act to this constitution about the exile of the “dangerous people”. This constitution was named as “Kanun-i Esasi” and it was came in to force on 23^rd December 1876.