Dr. Fehmida Mirza today created history when she became the first ever woman to be elected as speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly. If I am not wrong, she is also the first every woman to achieve this position in entire Muslim world. She was the candidate of PPP, PML(N), ANP and JUI(F) and secured more than 2/3 of the total votes. She got 249 out of 324 votes casted while her opponent Sardar Mohammad Israr Tareen of PML(Q) could only secure 70 votes. It was interesting to see JUI(F) chief Moulana Fazal Ur Rehman voting for a woman candidate when first he showed some reservations. I guess ministries and urge to join government makes one do anything and everything :). Faisal Kundi has been elected deputy speaker defeating Khush Bakht Shujat.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza belongs to a very influential family of Hyderabad, Sindh and her husband Zulifiqar Mirza is considered a very trusted and close friend of PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari. During previous governments of Benazir Bhutto, Mirza was often accused of being Asif Zardari’s front-man in alleged shady deals. That was why Mirza, whose car registration Zulfi One, used to make waves in the federal capital during those days, disappeared from the scene after the dismissal of second Benazir government in 1996.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza won NA seat in February 18 elections from Badin on a general seat and her husband has also been elected in Sindh Assembly. According to official website of PPPP, born on December 20, 1956 in Karachi, she is an agriculturist and business woman by profession and is politically affiliated with the PPPP. She was previously elected MNA in 1997. Dr. Fehmida Mirza did her M.B.B.S degree from Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro in the year 1982. Married, with two sons and two daughters, she has travelled to U.S.A, U.K, Canada, Switzerland, France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. She enjoys reading.
According to Geo:
Dr. Fehmida Mirza has been elected first ever woman speaker of National Assembly.
Opposition had nominated Israr Tareen for speaker’s office. The voting was carried out through secret ballot.
Dr Fahmida Mirza received 249 out of 324 votes, of which 319 were valid and five votes were declared invalid. Asrar Tareen received 70 votes.
Dr Fehmida Mirza hails from Badin in Sindh and has been winning elections continuously since 1997. She is wife of Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza, a close friend of PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. Hailing from an influential political family of Sindh, the 51-year-old Dr Fehmida Mirza has won the National Assembly seat in open electoral contest from Badin in 1997, 2002 and 2008.
Among prominent members of the family are her grandfather Qazi Abdul Qayyum, who was the first Muslim president of Hyderabad Municipality.
Her uncle Qazi Muhammad Akbar was a member of the Provincial Assembly and served as minister of home, finance, public works and information at various times. Dr Mirza’s father Qazi Abid started his political career as Chairman Hyderabad Division Council. He later served as Federal Minister for Education, Water and Power, Food and Agriculture and Information. He was also thrice Secretary General of the APNS.
Her brother Qazi Asad has served as APNS secretary-general nine times and also remained the CPNE secretary-general. He was also a PPP MNA and in that capacity served as chairman of the standing committee on information. Her cousin Qazi Aslam has been secretary-general APNS four times.
We sincerely wish Dr. Fehmida Mirza best of luck and hope this assembly would be run in a much better way than the previous one. Let’s hope that government formation process completes quickly now and everyone is able to focus on real issues on hand.
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“Figureheads are just that–figureheads. Some may argue that figureheads have some symbolic value that “trickles down” to other women. But during England’s infamously sexist Victorian times, when women didn’t have any semblance of rights, couldn’t vote, travel without a companion, live independently, or own property, England was ruled by a queen.”
Tina, maybe you should read some Pakistani history instead. Are you also saying that Fatima Jinnah’s activities did not anything for the role of women? Are you saying that subcontinental Muslim women were basically unaffected by her?
I used Fatima Jinnah as an example because you would probably never even consider for a moment that Benazir could have had a minuscule impact on women in Pakistan….I invite you to talk to our former 60-year old maid who was inspired enough by Benazir to make sure her daughter got a good education….her daughter was the first in her family to get a college degree; she now has an LLB and is participating actively in the lawyer’s movement to rid the country of this ruthless dictator.
So, Tina, if you want to gauge the effect of such symbolism, it would behoove you to put down your manual on glorious Britannia and actually talk to the people who clean your 3-story mansion and make sure your iPod is charged.
I was fully expecting to see the harsh, negative comments on this post….democracy does not have a very good history of helping the wealthy. Anyway, I’m wondering if Sindh is the only province that thinks women can actually take up important positions like PM, speaker, etc.
Woman speaker of NA should help in improving image of Pakistan.
She got elected by more than 2/3rd majority.Watch out Mush!
Congratulations to Dr. Mirza on this awesome victory.
Those who decry political families should be reminded that this is not an uncommon phenomenon. Even Nancy Pelosi entered politics in the shadow of her father. If Hillary can claim to be worthy of leading the free world based on her 8 year stint as a first-lady, why can’t we digest Dr. Mirza’s nomination? She has been elected thrice, and has earned the reputation of a tough lady who withstood state oppression after BB’s govt was ousted in ‘96. As Nusrat javed observed she would keep members of the treasury benches on their toes when she would be speaking in the assembly.
Those who have seen the antics of ‘chaudry’ Ameer hussain should be relieved to see this duo of well educated and refined individuals (Faisal karim kundi is also no ‘chaudry’) represent the new parliament. Mushy worshipers must be perplexed to see how PP has managed to present a soft and liberal face of the new parliament.
I just wanna say one thing after reading the following
“Dr. Fehmida Mirza belongs to a very influential family of Hyderabad, Sindh and her husband Zulifiqar Mirza is considered a very trusted and close friend of PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.”
“JO MAJAZE YAAR MAIN AYE”
God Bless us and save us.
“Dr. Mirza if you read this–whatever you do, DON’T hug anybody, please! ”
Tina, that was too funny !
Well new speaker is from close friends of Zardari. Here is the news about Zardari network.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2008/03/0 80319_justicenizam_case_rh.shtml
This is unfortunate that Mr Zardari seems to be biggest winner from this conflict between civil society and establishment.
Another Brown Sahiba. Let’s save the breathlessness for something more out of the ordinary.
I personally don’t care much for how the politics of the country work out , I dont care whether Mushi stays or leaves, Zardari or Nawaz Sharif makes PM or not - - because it doesnt do anything for me, I get up, go to work, earn money , come back home and start all over again the next day - the govt in Isloo has no impact on my life.
All I want is that Pakistan goes back to degree of normalcy, so that everytime my family steps out of the house, at least I can feel secure that they will be safe. No more bomb blasts, no more ( or at least much much less) robberies , no more (or at least much much less) car snatching.