Begum Kulsoom Saifullah Khan - @zahraasaifullah/Instagram
Begum Kulsoom Saifullah Khan - @zahraasaifullah/Instagram

PESHAWAR: Prominent political figure, social activist and Pakistan’s first female federal minister Begum Kulsoom Saifullah Khan passed away on Monday.

Begum Kulsoom was the patron of Saif Group and Chairperson Saifullah Foundation for Sustainable Development.

She is survived by five sons, Humayun Saifullah Khan, Anwar Saifullah Khan, Salim Saifullah Khan, Javed Saifullah Khan and Iqbal Saifullah Khan.

She was commended for her distinguished services to Pakistan in a career spanning the corporate, social and political spectrum.

An active worker, a participant in the Pakistan Independence Movement and a founding member of the All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA) since 1947, Begum Kulsoom served as an advisor to the founder of APWA Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan till 1951.

She was a founding member of the Sarhad Handicapped Children's Association and also served as the NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) president of the craft council and as a member of the National Council for Population Planning.

From 1964 till 1990, along with being the Chairperson Saif Group of Companies, Begum Kulsoom was a founding member of the Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI), a founding Member of the Pakistan Association of Women Entrepreneurs and the NWFP (now KP) President of the Pakistan Federation of Business and Professional Women's Association.

She has also represented Pakistan as a delegate at the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations International Council on population and at the World Conference to review and appraise the achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace.

As a public representative, Begum Kulsoom served as a Member of the Provincial Assembly NWFP (now KP), Member of the Federal Council and also as a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

The first woman federal minister in Pakistan's history, she served as the Minister for Population Welfare and Organisation and Methods (Management Services Division).

She had also served as the Minister of State for Commerce.

During a glittering ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr on the occasion of Pakistan Day in 2008, former President Pervez Musharaf had conferred the prestigious Hilal-i-Imtiaz civilian award upon Begum Kulsoom for her meritorious and distinguished services to Pakistan.

Opinion

Editorial

Soaring again
Updated 18 Jul, 2025

Soaring again

The lifting of the ban by the UK will lead to several welcome developments.
Terror in Kalat
18 Jul, 2025

Terror in Kalat

THE unrest in Balochistan is increasingly taking on an ugly and dangerous colour, with repeated, indiscriminate...
Economic exclusion
18 Jul, 2025

Economic exclusion

FOR all the progress made in Pakistan towards the inclusion of women across the sociopolitical divide, comprehensive...
Digital gaps
Updated 17 Jul, 2025

Digital gaps

Digital technology affords Pakistan a unique opportunity to transform itself into a dynamic digital economy.
A grave matter
17 Jul, 2025

A grave matter

IT is a weighty issue, and one which many would not touch with a barge pole, primarily out of concern for...
Vaccine paradox
17 Jul, 2025

Vaccine paradox

PAKISTAN has recorded its highest-ever coverage of the DTP vaccine — protecting children against diphtheria,...