FAUZIA Wahab fought for democracy, human rights and women’s empowerment. Through sheer hard work and sincerity, Mrs Wahab became the face of the country’s largest political party.

By virtue of her own personal background and dedication, she became a voice of the middle class, a self-made woman.

Through her visible and also indirect role as a Pakistan People’s Party MNA and office-bearer, she did a lot for women empowerment.

In countries like Pakistan, it is very difficult for a woman to participate in politics and earn respect. Fauzia Wahab did it nicely and she set an example for all women of Pakistan.

She was a popular parliamentarian and enjoyed massive support for her work. She embarked on her political career by volunteering for the PPP in the 1988 general election.

In 1995, Fauzia became the information secretary of the Sindh Women's Wing. She also remained a member of the party’s advisory council from 1994 to 1996 and chairperson of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s information committee from 1994 to 1995.

She had particular interest in foreign affairs, finance and women’s development issues.

Later on in 1998 Benazir Bhutto nominated Fauzia Wahab to become the Central Coordinator of the Human Rights Cell and was tasked with corresponding with human rights organiations abroad.

In 2003, she attended the National Defence College course for bringing politicians and armed forces close to each other.

She was one of the initiators of relationship with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and was invited to attend the ‘Win with Women — Global Initiative’ of the Institute in December 2003. In June 2004, she was invited by the National Democratic Institute to attend the 2004 Democratic National Convention  in Boston.

She was appointed central information secretary of the party in 2009.

Fauzia chose to side with the Pakistan People’s Party because she believed that it was the only political party open to liberal democratic values and the only political party that was not plagued by gender discrimination.

Her dedication to PPP was matchless. She upheld the liberal face of the Pakistan People’s Party in highly polarised, fanatic and charged environment of Pakistan. No doubt, she was a courageous and brave lady.

DR SAIFUR REHMAN Islamabad