Dr. Fahmida Mirza was?born on December 20th, 1956. She?is the first woman Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan. She is a medical doctor, agriculturist from Hyderabad, Sindh, she was elected as The Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan on March 19, 2008.?She is also the first female Parliamentary Speaker in the Muslim world.
She has been elected to Parliament for three consecutive terms in 1997, 2002 and 2008 as MNA from Badin district, in South Eastern region of Sindh province.
Dr. Mirza graduated with a medical degree (MBBS) from Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro, Sindh, in 1982 and did her house job (residency) in gynaecology and paediatrics. The Liaqat Medical Collecge (LMC) is now called Liaqat Medical University
Dr. Fahmida Mirza is Confident and committed to serve the nation and democracy, she reached the highest honor when she was accorded reverence by 249 members out of 324 to elect her as the first woman Speaker to the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza is the Daughter of Qazi Abdul Majid Abid. She did her matriculation form St Mary?s Convent, Hyderabad, in 1972 and Intermediate in 1974 from Nazareth College Hyderabad. Fahmida Mirza did her MBBS from Liaqat Medical College, Jamshoro in 1982 and also passed Sindh Public Service Commission examination in 1983. Fehmida Mirza had been medical practitioner in MCH Centre and then served at School Health Centre from 1983 to 1989.
Later she opted for running family business and served as Director of Mirza Sugar Mills and later was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the same Mill.
Her family has contributed to the political and social development of both Sindh and Pakistan for years.
Her grandfather Qazi Abdul Qayyum was the first Muslim President of Hyderabad Municipality and uncle Qazi Muhammad Akbar was a member of the Provincial Assembly and served as a minister for 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 also served thrice as Secretary General of the APNS.
Dr Fehmida Mirza is married to Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, a former MNA and recently elected MPA & Home minister for the Sindh Provice. She has four children.
In an Interview she expressed following views.
Q: What was the secret behind your success in 2008 elections?
When my husband was elected to serve the same constituency in the ’93 elections, he contributed a lot towards the development of Badin. When I was elected in the ’97 polls, I was in the opposition, and despite political victimisation managed to address Badin’s problems in parliament. Whenever PPP candidates are elected they never fail to serve their people. That is why our vote bank always remains strong.
Q: What will you do to secure women’s rights?
I will ensure that no discriminatory laws against women are implemented in the future. Making people aware of women’s rights and empowering women economically are priorities on my agenda. I am not sure whether I will be able to achieve what I want, but I have a desire to bring about change, which is something I cannot say about some of our former politicians.
Update 24th Jan 2009
Dr Fahmida Mirza visted the Civil Hospital Karachi Burns Ward to meet Ms. Maria Shah, a young midwife from Shikarpur, who was a victim of acid throwing, Speaker Mirza said that sale of acid should be restricted she also reteriated her commitment to legislate the rules to avoid such incidents in the future.
