The PML-N family is deeply saddened by the passing of its stalwart Najma Hameed in December 2022 at the age of 78. She was the face of PML-N in Rawalpindi and served the party and the people with commitment over decades.
Najma Hameed was born on 18 March 1944 in Multan and was a lifelong member of the Pakistan Muslim League. She had the honour of working with Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan and Begum Viqar-un-Nisa Noon — two leading figures of the Pakistan Movement — and later devoted her energies to the betterment of people, especially women, through the platform of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Her role will always be remembered for standing by the party when it was going through the worst form of persecution at the hands of military dictator General Pervez Musharraf after he toppled PML-N’s government on 12 October 1999. She was by Kulsoom Nawaz Sharif’s side when she was mobilizing workers following the incarceration of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Mian Shehbaz Sharif, and other leaders by Pervez Musharraf. Her house in Satellite Town, Rawalpindi, was a PML-N stronghold. As the anniversary of the coup approached, the military rulers became so afraid of this burgeoning movement led by Kulsoom Nawaz and her trusted lieutenants that they put her under house arrest at Najma Hameed’s residence.
Najma Hameed served as the president of the women’s wing of the PML-N and twice became Senator in 2008 and 2015 on a reserved seat for women until 2021. She was part of the house that unanimously passed two important laws for the protection of women: The Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill 2010 and The Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Bill 2008.
Such was Najma Hameed’s stature that political leaders have condoled her death and lauded her services across party lines. PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif paid rich tribute to her services to the country, party, and democracy, saying, “She was a righteous and courageous political leader with strong ideals, a figure of sincerity, and political tact.” She was “like a sister” to Kulsoom Nawaz, he added. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “Grieved to hear about the passing of Begum Najma Hameed, ex-PML-N Senator & the aunt of Marriyum Aurangzeb. She was a committed & loyal party leader who served the country, party & democracy with dedication. May Allah rest her soul in peace! My condolences to her family.”
Najma Hameed was the sister of MNA Tahira Aurangzeb, and aunt of Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, and is survived by three sons.
