Reaching higher pedestal - Dr Fehmida Mirza 

Confident and committed to serve the nation and democracy, Dr Fehmida Mirza reached the higher pinnacle 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.

Never before in country’s history, the House had heard the words “Madam Speaker” and the credit goes to PPPP for nominating a woman Speaker and the coalition partners who had supported this decision.

Hailing from a political family of Sindh, 51 years old Fehmida Mirza swept three consecutive national assembly elections in an open electoral contest from Badin in 1997, 2002 and 2008.

Daughter of Qazi Abdul Majid Abid, Fehmida was born in Hyderabad on December 20, 1956. She did her matriculation form St Mary’s Convent, Hyderabad, in 1972 and Intermediate in 1974 from Nazareth College Hyderabad. Fahmida Mirza did MBBS from Liaqat Medical College, Jamshoro in 1982 and 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 Chief Executive Officer.

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. She has four children.

New deputy speaker NA from known political family

Faisal Karim Kundi, elected Deputy Speaker National Assembly, comes from a known political family in the North West Frontier Province. Born in 1975 in Dera Ismail Khan, he graduated from Thames Valley University London.

He was specially politically groomed by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in London. He contested the election against Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman in February elections and won with a majority of 40,000.

Kundi has served the PPP as divisional coordinator in D.I.Khan.

His father Fazal Karim Kundi had defeated Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman in 1990 on PPP ticket. His maternal Grandfather (NANA) Justice ® Faizulllah Khan Kundi served as federal minister with Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Karim Kundi’s great grandfather Barrister Abdul Rahim Kundi was the first deputy speaker of the NWFP Assembly.

Profile of newly-elected Punjab Assembly Speaker

LAHORE, April 11 (APP): The newly-elected Speaker Punjab Assembly, Rana Muhammad Iqbal son of Rana Phool Muhammad Khan was born in Phool Nagar, Karnal district of India, in 1944.

Rana Iqbal currently residing in Lambe Jageer, tehsil Pattoki of Kasur district, won the general election-2008 from PP-184, Kasur-10.

He received primary education from Phool Nagar High School and secondary education form Government Islamia College, Civil Lines Multan and then education in law from the Punjab University, Lahore.

He has been elected to the Punjab Assembly for the fourth time, while his father Rana Phool Khan was elected MPA in the Punjab six times, and has the distinction of being the ‘senior-most parliamentarian of Asia.’

Rana Iqbal has twice served as chairman district council and once as vice-chairman district council Kasur.

He has also been president of Chunian Bar Association and was later appointed as ASP, but resigned from the post in protest against the martial law of Gen Zia-ul-Haq.

Rana Iqbal’s son Shahzad Iqbal is holding the post of tehsil nazim, district Kasur.

Profile of newly-elect PA Deputy Speaker

LAHORE, April 11 (APP): The newly-elect Punjab Assembly’s Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, son of Rana Abdur Rahim Khan was born in Lahore in 1966.

Rana Mashhood Ahmed won the general election-2008 from PP-149 Lahore-13 and was elected to the Punjab Assembly for the second time.

He received primary education from Crescent Model School, Lahore and secondary education form Government College Lahore and then law education from Punjab University,Lahore.

The Deputy Speaker has given his valuable services as Secretary Lahore High Court Bar, President of PML-N Lawyers Forum Punjab and Vice President PML-N Punjab.

He contested the Punjab Assembly Speaker’s election against Muhammad Afzal Sahi and also vied for Lahore District Nazim slot.

Mashhood’s grandfather Rana Inayatullah was Member Legislative Assembly of Pakistan.His father Rana Abdur Rahim was Secretary Lahore High Court Bar and Vice chairman of Punjab Bar Council.

Mashhood’s younger brother Rana Asad is the sitting Secretary of Lahore High Court Bar.