Dr. Ashraf Abbasi was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in February 1972 by the PPP from Larkana, Sindh (NW-143) on one of 6 reserve seats for women (1972-1977), and was subsequently nominated to the Constitution Committee. She had the distinction of being the only woman member of the constituent assembly of 1972-73 who had also sat in the two assemblies of the Ayub era (1962 and 1965) in West Pakistan (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto group). She became the first female Deputy Speaker National Assembly after the passage of the 1973 Constitution. In March 1977, she was elected member of Sindh Provincial Assembly on a PPP ticket and joined the Sindh Cabinet as Local Bodies Minister. She was part of the long struggle for restoration of Democracy (1977-1988). In the general election of 1988, she was elected to the National Assembly from Larkana, Sindh (NA-165), defeating a strong feudal male candidate. Once again, she was nominated as Deputy Speaker in the National Assembly in 1988.

Born in 1925 in Village Valid in District Larkana, Dr. Abbasi started her career in politics when she won as Clinical Secretary in student union elections in Dow Medical College in 1952-53. In 1954, she qualified as a medical doctor, and quite apart from her medical practice, went on to make important contributions as a social activist in both APWA and the Family Planning Association of Pakistan. Her family’s close political and personal association with the Bhutto family went back to the time of Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto.

As a passionate advocate for women’s political inclusion, Dr. Abbasi played an active role in defending constitutional proposals for women’s rights during the constitutional debates. Emphasizing the new constitution’s provision on gender equality, she stated: “All citizens are equal before law and there will be no discrimination on the sex alone… If we do not qualify… then it is our own fault. It is not the fault of the constitutional provision.”. Likewise, she was deeply conscious of the male-dominated nature of state institutions and lobbied during the debates for gender-based political representation: “Ours is a male-dominated society…That is why we had been forcing the Constitution Committee Members to give us constitutional guarantee of representation on all the bodies that are going to come up under the present Constitution.” (National Assembly Debates, 2:15, 7th March 1973, p. 846)

In a particularly noteworthy debate on whether a woman could become Head of State, Dr. Abbasi strongly opposed attempts by the right-wing to constitutionally bar women from the office. She declared: “Why should you debar women from becoming the Head of the State? If a woman possesses the requisite qualifications and the backing of Members of Parliament, I cannot understand why shouldn’t she be elevated to office of President.” Referring to Fatima Jinnah’s candidature for the presidential election of 1964, she asked pointedly: “Wasn’t it the same Jamaat-e-Islami which declared that a lady could contest the election for the Head of the State?” (National Assembly Debates, 2:22, 16th March 1973, p. 1429)

Dr. Abbasi also campaigned for the inclusion of a woman in the Islamic Ideology Council, warning of the dismissive attitude of some religious scholars: “Many of the Ulemas are very hostile towards the problems of women… it has become very essential that one of the Members of this Islamic Ideology Council should be a woman to safeguard the interests of the women who form half of the population of this nation.” (National Assembly Debates, 2:33, 7th April 1973, p. 2243)

Having dedicated her life to the cause of progressive politics, women’s empowerment, and social activism, Dr. Abbasi withdrew from her active political career after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007. She passed away in her village in Larkana in 2014.

Begum Nasim Jahan was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in February 1972 by the PPP from Lahore, Punjab (NW-141) on one of 6 reserve seats for women (1972-1977), and was subsequently nominated to the Constitution Committee. She is known to have put forward a suggestion in the Committee for the establishment of a commission on the status of women, a proposal that was dismissed on the pretext of lack of resources. She was a founding member of the PPP in 1967 and played a pivotal role in mobilising women across Punjab, and particularly in Lahore, during the 1970 general elections.

Begum Nasim was born in 1916 into the illustrious Mian family of Baghbanpura. Her maternal grandfather, Sir Muhammad Shafi, was also a leading statesman. She was the daughter of Mian Muhammad Shahnawaz and Begum Jahanara Shahnawaz—both key figures in pre-Partition politics. In fact, her mother was one of only two women in Pakistan’s first constituent assembly. Raised in a politically conscious household, she followed in the footsteps of her mother in pursuing a life of activism and public service.

In the constitutional debates of 1972–73, Begum Nasim emerged as a strong voice for the political rights of women, workers and peasants. The idea of local government (like the Senate) surfaced for the first time in the Constitution of 1973. This was a unique proposal from Begum Nasim. It was based on the necessity for a ‘grass-root democracy’ that would represent ‘all class interests’, including peasants, workers and women. Its author argued that it would displace the colonial-era bureaucracy, and would allow for the ‘socialization of power’ through ‘new institutions of mass organizations’ at the local level. These would act as ‘autonomous units of socio-economic and political power’ on the principle of ‘all power to the people’. This proposal was welcomed and accepted with only minor changes. The original clause on local government institutions in the Constitution of 1973 is as follows:

32. The State shall encourage local Government institutions composed of elected representatives of the areas concerned and, in such institutions, special representation will be given to peasants, workers and women.

Most of Begum Nasim’s other proposed amendments were derived from her ideological lens of a ‘socialist People’s Democracy’. These amendments included clauses for equal pay for equal work and the right to work, another for the elimination of ‘bureaucratism, despotism, and ostentation’, and the substitution of ‘egalitarian society’ with ‘classless society’ in the Objectives Resolution. Begum Nasim also endorsed an amendment moved by Sheikh M. Rashid, the PPP Health Minister, for making ‘Islamic socialism’ the basis of Pakistan’s economy. However, none of these proposals made their way into the Constitution. Her heterodox idea of giving representation to functional and vocational groups like peasants, workers, students and women in parliament itself received zero support in the Assembly, quite apart from drawing the ire of Hafeez Pirzada. Begum Jahan retreated gracefully on the occasion, although she did not otherwise desist from holding PPP to its manifesto and remained an important internal critic of the party.

Beyond constitution-making, Begum Nasim mentored younger generations of women activists through political study circles in the lead-up to the 1970 elections and was a visible presence in women’s movements in the 1970s. She was at the forefront of protests and conferences during International Women’s Year in 1975, and continued to advocate for women’s participation in democratic processes throughout her life.

Nargis Naim Sandhu was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in February 1972 by the PPP from Lyallpur, Punjab (NW-140) on one of 6 reserve seats for women (1972-1977). She was also appointed Parliamentary Secretary of Health and Social Division and Population Planning (1973-1977). Having joined PPP in the early 1970s, she remained a member of the party throughout her active political career. She was the only woman member of the constituent assembly of 1972-73 who came into politics without any political background or backing. Born in 1947, she also holds the distinction of being the youngest member of this assembly.

Begum Nargis was passionate about labor rights, which played a role in her initiation into politics at the national level. She distinguished herself as a key player in labor politics on behalf of the PPP in Lyallpur (Faisalabad), leading labor unions and worker welfare associations in both Nishat and Kohinoor mills. In the 1990s, Begum Nargis worked tirelessly as a social activist in the maternal and child care sector (oral history interview with Nadia Naim, 2023).

She was also a vociferous advocate for women’s political representation, and defended proposals for women’s rights in the new constitution, directly responding to the religious right’s attempts to thwart these proposals. During a particularly heated exchange, Begum Nargis severely admonished those arguing for the general seats to be reserved for men. Fearlessly calling out fatwas (religious decrees) as the last refuge of the ulema whenever women’s rights were at stake, she stood up to the casual sexism of members like Muhammad Hanif Khan and Ghulam Ghaus Hazarvi in the assembly.

Begum Nargis passed away in 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

Zahida Sultana was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in February 1972 by the PPP from Rahimyar Khan, Punjab (NW-142) on one of 6 reserve seats for women (1972-1977). Having joined PPP in the early 1970s, she remained a member of the party throughout her active political career. 

Begum Zahida belonged to a family with close political links to All India Muslim League. Both her paternal grandfather, Captain Ghulam Moheyuddin, and her father, Mian Abdus Salam, were Muslim Leaguers from Jalandhar. Later, he served as the Federal Minister of Communications in West Pakistan during the 1950s. The family’s decision to settle in Rahimyar Khan can be attributed to Begum Zahida’s grandfather’s association with the Nawab of Bahawalpur through the colonial police service (oral history interview with Mr. Khalid Sarfaraz, 2023).

Prior to joining politics, Begum Zahida had an M.A. in Economics and a Diploma in Journalism, and worked as a research scholar at Punjab University and the London School of Economics (LSE). During the framing of the 1973 Constitution, she eloquently defended the PPP’s proposal for a federal structure with meaningful provincial autonomy, while also emphasizing the importance of a strong center to maintain national integrity:

“The Constitution provides maximum autonomy to the provinces in accordance with the integrity of the country and the principle of federalism. The Provincial Governments are free to legislate on a vast variety of subjects and what is most important is that unlike the provisions contained in the previous Constitutions where they would legislate on residuary subjects only they can now legislate on the subjects contained in the Concurrent List also. This is in addition to the residuary powers which also vest in them. The Federal List contains exclusively all those items which have to be legislated for the country as a whole and if it is sought to delegate them to the provinces it would not result in autonomy but would be tantamount to an endeavour to subvert the unity and administrative and legal uniformity and integrity of the country. Sir, which authority other than the Federal Government can pass legislation on subjects such as defence, external affairs, currency, nationality and citizenship, education, copy rights and Trade Marks, Sea and air navigation, imports in and exports out of the country; regulation of banking and insurance; levy of taxes and imposition of duties? Indeed, in the matter of imposition of duty and levy of taxes adequate provisions have been made for equitable distribution of revenues between the Provinces and the Federal Government.” (National Assembly Debates, 2:10, 28th February 1973, p. 455)

Begum Zahida also strongly supported women’s representation in state institutions. Endorsing Dr. Ashraf Abbasi’s proposal to include at least two women from each province in the Senate, she made a compelling case for gender parity in legislative bodies:

“If weaker provinces can get greater weightage in the Senate in the Upper House, why should not the weaker sex be treated likewise?” (National Assembly Debates, 2:10, 28th February 1973, p. 455)

Of her many pursuits outside of politics, Begum Zahida published a periodical called “Inspirations,” and set up a textiles mill in Karachi which is still thriving today (oral history interview with Mrs. Birjis Sarfaraz, 2023). She passed away in the early 2000s.

Begum Shireen Wahab was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in February 1972 by the Qayyum Muslim League (QML) from Peshawar, in erstwhile NWFP (NW-1139) on one of 6 reserve seats for women (1972-1977). She came to the constituent assembly of 1972-73 with considerable political experience. She had played a key role in mobilizing women for the Pakistan Movement as the General Secretary of the Frontier Women’s Muslim League, and organizing rallies, protests, and recruitment efforts during the 1947 referendum in NWFP. She was also actively involved in the All India Women’s Association and later became a leading member of APWA, serving as its General Secretary in Peshawar for nine years.

Born in 1919 in Peshawar, Begum Shireen came from a prominent family in NWFP—her father, Khan Bahadur Qazi Meer Ahmed Khan, and her mother, Lady Meer Ahmed, were both well-known political figures in the region.

During her time as a member of the constituent assembly of 1972-73, Begum Shireen was a staunch advocate for women’s rights. Her work as a social activist is reflected in her speeches, where she strongly criticized the lack of women’s representation, arguing that the ‘Constitution will remain incomplete’ without seats for women in the Senate.

She called for 30% representation of women in the National Assembly.

“Mere appointing a few ladies to high offices is not an answer to our problems. I do not mean that high jobs should not be given to us. What I mean is that women should be given equal jobs and opportunity so that more and more women could come out and help the nation build our country. There is one thing which I would like to bring to the notice of this House that the lower class and the middle class women lead dependent lives-they are dependent on their parents and on their husbands while there are yet another set of women who independently support their family in which case it is very hard on them because normally they are neither educated nor trained to be fit in the changing society. I would, therefore, appeal to the Government to incorporate a law in the Constitution that those women who do not have anybody to support should be given some monetary help from the Government.” (National Assembly Debates, 2:14, 6th March 1973, pp. 760-761)

“Women are to observe the other rites of Islam the same way. I see no reason why it should be considered that women have lower status. Islam gives very high respect to women. Women constitute half of mankind. How can any one ignore women? No society can ever be built without the emancipation of women.” (National Assembly Debates, 2:14, 6th March 1973, pp. 759-760)

Begum Shireen also strongly advocated for the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961 (MFLO), arguing that they should be made even stricter to protect women from being abandoned without financial security.

“Maulana Sahib argues that Family Laws should be abolished and that men should be allowed to marry up to four times, claiming that they will be just among their wives. However, the Quran has prescribed a very strict form of justice for women, one that is nearly impossible for human beings to uphold. Therefore, the laws should be made stricter so that men cannot marry repeatedly without accountability. Family Laws should be strengthened, and laws should be made for women so that they do not face difficulties in their practical lives.” (National Assembly Debates, 2:30, 29th March 1973 , pp. 2117-2119 )

In the constitutional assembly debate, Begum Shireen Wahab’s tilt towards Islamic modernism comes through consistently. She frequently referenced Islamic teachings to support women’s rights.

“Sir, in these enlightened times, we don’t have to ask for an equal status of life. It has already been granted to us by the Islamic concept of life.”

(National Assembly Debates, 2:14, 6th March 1973, p. 759)

“In the Holy Quran in SURAT-UN-NISA the right and the privilege that have been given to women to enjoy are fully known to everybody.”

(National Assembly Debates, 2:14, 6th March 1973, p. 760)

“The first believer was a woman. But for Bibi Khatija Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) would have been quite lonely in his mission at a time when he had no helper. Women are not a symbol of ornament as men think them to be: they are very much part of the highest creation of life-they have meaning; they have an aim and for the fulfilment of that aim women cannot be ignored and treated like slaves. We have to give women their rights and restore them to their glory. Only then will we have a glorious future for a nation of six crores. How can we ignore half of the human race? They must be brought on the same level as men and be used for the economic development of the country. Women are a burden on the economy of the country. Women should be given mass training-training for useful jobs so as to become part and parcel of the changing and developing economy of the country.”

(National Assembly Debates, 2:14, 6th March 1973, p. 760)

Throughout her life, Begum Shireen remained committed to women’s rights, education, and social welfare in Peshawar. She co-founded a welfare center with Begum Mutallah Karreen, established a dispensary and health center (which she managed until 1958), and opened two primary schools under Dar-ul-Niswan, which were later handed over to the Education Department due to financial constraints. These schools remain operational to this day. Though she eventually stepped back from active politics, her lifelong commitment to social welfare and women’s empowerment continued until her passing. She passed away in 1983, leaving behind a powerful legacy of leadership, courage, and public service.

Jennifer Qazi Musa was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in February 1972 by the NAP from Quetta-Pishin, Balochistan (NW-144) on one of 6 reserve seats for women (1972-1977). She was nominated by her party to the Constitution Committee in the final session of the Committee proceedings as a replacement for Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo, who resigned from the Committee upon the NAP’s instructions. After the passage of the 1973 Constitution, Begum was appointed by NAP as the opposition candidate for Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, an election she lost to Dr. Ashraf Abbasi of the PPP. Begum Jennifer was among 2 NAP signatories of the 1973 Constitution from Balochistan, the other one being Bizenjo.

Born Bridget Wren in 1917 in County Kerry, Ireland, Begum Jennifer trained as a nurse in England before moving to newly independent Pakistan in 1948. She married Qazi Mohammad Musa, brother of Qazi Mohammad Isa, the prominent Pashtun Muslim Leaguer from Balochistan. Begum Jennifer met Qazi Musa while he was studying philosophy at Oxford. After their marriage in 1940, she moved with him to his hometown of Quetta-Pishin in Balochistan. In 1956, when Qazi Musa died in a tragic car crash, she chose to stay in Pakistan with her son, Ashraf Jahangir Qazi. She had close relations with Khair Bakhsh Marri, who married her step-daughter from Qazi Musa’s first marriage.

Upon Begum Jennifer’s entry into politics through NAP in the early 1970s, many questioned whether a foreign-born widow could be trusted with political responsibility. The NAP leader, Khan Abdul Wali Khan, famously defended her, quipping, “If Begum Musa was a Pakhtun I might have thought about what you’re telling me, but she’s from Ireland—if you know anything.” (oral history interview with Ashraf Qazi, 2023)

Beyond national politics, Begum Jennifer was a tireless advocate for women’s rights and social development in Balochistan. Apart from her close association with APWA, she founded the area’s first women’s association and its first family planning clinic (obituary in the Telegraph, 2008), driven by her belief that gender equality was essential to social justice. She has been quoted as saying, “I joined [NAP] thinking I could do something for Balochistan and something for women. But you can’t liberate women until you liberate men.” (New York Times, 17 August 1992)

In the late 1980s, when Begum Jennifer was well into her sixties, she established an ice factory in Balochistan—producing hundreds of tonnes of ice daily, some of which was sold across the border in war-torn Afghanistan—earning her the nickname “The Ice Woman” in international press coverage. (Financial Times, The Ice Woman Cometh, 1989)

Begum Jennifer remained in Pakistan for the remainder of her life, becoming a beloved and iconic figure in Balochistan. Remembered as a nurse, a politician, a social worker, and above all, a woman of remarkable courage and conviction, she passed away in 2008.