Dr. Fahmida Mirza

Fahmida Mirza , was the 18th Speaker of the National Assembly, a lower house of Parliament of State of Pakistan.  She was born on December 20, 1956 at Sialkot. Born and brought up in a political background, Fahmida was trained as Doctor at Liaquat Medical College, Jamshoro, Sindh, in 1982. 

A long time politician, Fahmida Mirza first ran for public office in 1997. She has served Three Terms in Parliament, winning the National Assembly seat in 1997, 2002 and 2008. In March 2008, She became the First Female National Assembly Speaker in Pakistan’s 60 year history with the support of Pakistan Peoples Party. From 1997 to next three years, she had to fight Court room battles against a Plethora of cooked-up charges, managing and saving family business in the teeth of official scrutiny, raising children as a single parent and at the same time becoming a strong voice in support of people’s rights and freedom from the floor of the House.

A woman of strong nerves and commitment, she withstood the rigors of time and emerged as a mature politician. The election of a woman to the High Pedestal office of the Speaker for the first time in the history of Pakistan has not only enabled the Parliament to stand out among the State Institutions but has also brought much grace to the chair itself. Her milestone decision to appoint the leader of the Opposition on the very first working day of her office and the very first day of ruling by her in the chair, upholding the’ Freedom of the Press ‘ are some of the fine examples, set by her. She did a lot for abused and vulnerable women, children, displaced persons, victims of Terrorism, and the physically or mentally handicapped persons. As Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Autistic Society, she is struggling for the well- being of persons with Cerebral disorders, especially children.

Mehak Wadhwa

Class X