The Fifth Phase - Third Marshal Law and the Non-Party Assembly of 1985
This Assembly proved short-lived and was dismissed just after three months with the imposition of Martial Law on July 5, 1977 and the subsequent suspension of the Constitution. The political activities were resumed in 1985 when elections were held on non-party basis in 1985 to elect an Assembly, comprising of a total of 237 Members. In these elections, two women were elected on the General Seats, namely:
Women Members on General Seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan 1985- 1988
|
Sr. No.
|
Name
|
Constituency
|
|
1
|
Begum Abida Hussain
|
NA-76 Jhang – IV
|
|
2
|
Begum Nasim Majid Akhtar
|
NA-146 Bahawalnagar - V (Elected in by-election)
|
Source: Library of National Assembly of Pakistan Records
Begum Nasim Majid was also later appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for Housing & Works.
It was also at that time that the select portions of the 1973 Constitution were revived under the Revival of Constitution Order (P.O.14 of 1985), which also increased the reserved seats for women from 10 to 20. Consequently, women entered in the central legislature in a considerable number.
Women Members on Reserved Seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan 1985- 1988
|
Sr. No.
|
Name
|
Constituency
|
|
1
|
Begum Afsar Raza Qazalbash
|
Punjab
|
|
2
|
Begum Sarwari Sadiq
|
Punjab
|
|
3
|
Begum Silvat Sher Ali Khan
|
Punjab
|
|
4
|
Mrs. Khurshid Begum
|
Punjab
|
|
5
|
Mrs. Dureshahwar Mazari
|
Punjab
|
|
6
|
Mrs. Rafia Tariq
|
Punjab
|
|
7
|
Begum Rehana Aleem Mashahdi
|
Punjab
|
|
8
|
Shahzadi Mehmooda Begum
|
Punjab
|
|
9
|
Begum Ishrat Ashraf
|
Punjab
|
|
10
|
Dr. Attiya Inayatullah
|
Punjab
|
|
11
|
Mrs. Farrukh Mukhtar
|
Punjab
|
|
12
|
Mrs. Nisar Fatima Zahra
|
Punjab
|
|
13
|
Mrs. Afroze Nazir Ahmad
|
Sindh
|
|
14
|
Begum Salma Ahmad
|
Sindh
|
|
15
|
Mrs. Rashida Pasha Khoro
|
Sindh
|
|
16
|
Mrs. Qamar-un-Nisa Qamar
|
Sindh
|
|
17
|
Mrs. Bilquis Nasar-um-Minallah
|
N.W.F.P.
|
|
18
|
Begum Kalsoom Saifullah
|
N.W.F.P.
|
|
19
|
Dr. Miss. Noor Jahan Panazai
|
Balochistan
|
|
20
|
Bilqees Begum
|
Balochistan
|
Source: Library of National Assembly of Pakistan Records
In addition to the above, Mrs. Leela Wanti managed to enter the Chamber on a reserved seat for the Minorities. All these women remained Members of the Assembly from 1985 till May 28, 1988, when the Assembly was dismissed by the then President.
This Assembly has the main distinction of having Women Members as Ministers in the Federal Cabinet for the first time when Begum Afsar Raza Qazalbash and Begum Kulsum Saifullah were appointed as Ministers of State in Prime Minister Mohammad Khan Jonejo’s cabinet. Besides, Begum Rehana Aleem Mashahdi and Dr. Noor Jahan Panezai also served as Parliamentary Secretaries.
The Senate, which was also revived with the National Assembly, had no woman as Member.