Who is the first woman Speaker of Pakistan?

Excerpt: This post answers the questions “Who is the first woman Speaker of Pakistan? What is the name of Pakistan first woman Speaker? Who served as the first woman Speaker in Pakistan?”

The constitution of Pakistan gives equal rights to women. Over the past few decades, many bills and ordinances have been passed by the legislative bodies to ensure safety and equal opportunities for progress for women in the country. These steps have given Pakistan some distinguishing characteristics, such as being the first and only country to have had a female Prime Minister in the Muslim world. The constitutional rights have enabled women in Pakistan to hold and work in any position in any department, ministry, or institution in the country. Women in Pakistan have proven their worth in all sectors of life, and that is why Pakistan also has the honor of having the first-ever woman Speaker of its National Assembly.

Who is the first woman Speaker of Pakistan?

In the 2008 general elections, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won the majority of national and provincial assembly seats in the country. In the National Assembly, it won 89 seats; in Punjab, 107; in Sindh, 70; in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 31; and in Balochistan, it won 7 seats. The People’s Party made a coalition government with the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP), and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal Rehman (JUI-F).

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), being the leading party in the government, nominated Fahmida Mirza for the contest of Speaker of the National Assembly. She received 249 votes and was elected the first woman Speaker of Pakistan on 19 March 2008. She remained Speaker from 19 March 2008 to 3 June 2013.

Who is Fahmida Mirza – The First Woman Speaker of Pakistan?

Born in 1956 in Karachi, Fahmida Mirza belongs to an influential political family of Sindh. She joined the Pakistan People’s Party in 1997 and was elected to the National Assembly the same year for the first time in her life. She was re-elected in the 2002 and 2008 elections. After winning the 2008 general elections, she was nominated by the PPP for the contest of Speakership of the National Assembly of Pakistan, which she won with 249 votes. She became the first female Speaker of the Pakistan National Assembly on 19 March 2008 and remained in office until 3 June 2013.

The achievements of women in Pakistan, as exemplified by Fahmida Mirza’s historic tenure as the first woman Speaker of the National Assembly, highlight the progress and potential of gender equality in the country. Her journey is a testament to the impact of constitutional rights and the dedication of individuals who strive to break barriers. As we celebrate these milestones, it is important to continue advocating for women’s empowerment and representation in all sectors of life. The legacy of pioneers like Fahmida Mirza will undoubtedly inspire future generations to pursue their aspirations and contribute to the nation’s development.

Source: The above answer is based on information given by

• The Guardian, Pakistan gets first female speaker
• CBC, Pakistan’s 1^st female speaker
• Dawn Newspaper, An overview of 2008 general elections
• Wikipedia, Fahmida Mirza

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