ISLAMABAD: Former MNA Begum Nafisa Khalid, veteran PPP leader and a companion of party’s founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, died on Monday after protracted illness. She was 94. She leaves behind a daughter as all of her other children and husband have already passed away.
Begum Nafisa had also served as president of the PPP Labour Wing Punjab and was quite vocal and active for the rights of labourers, workers and marginalised segments of the society.
Served as MNA in 1977, she was a champion of labour rights thus widely known as ‘Madar-e-Mazdoor’. Besides Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, she had a good association with Begum Nusrat Bhutto and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
After migrating from India in 1947, Begum Nafisa and her family settled in Gujranwala where Begum Nusrat Bhutto often stayed at her home when she visited Punjab.
Begum Nafisa was mother-in-law of former editor-in-chief Daily Pakistan Times Ashraf Hashmi and grandmother of Special Secretary National Assembly Syed Shamoon Hashmi.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, PPP’s veteran leader Farhatullah Babar, Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Babar Saleem Swati and Secretary KP Assembly Syed Waqar Shah condoled the death of Begum Nafisa.
In a statement, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed condolences and heartfelt sympathy with the grandson of former MNA Begum Nafisa Khalid, City 42 Lahore reporter Syed Hassan Ali, and the bereaved family.
“Late Begum Nafisa Khalid was an asset to the party; her services to Pakistan Peoples Party will always be remembered,” he said.
Bilawal prayed for the departed soul of Begum Nafisa Khalid as well as the bereaved family.
A press statement issued by the National Assembly Secretariat said NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed deep grief and sorrow over the passing of former MNA and maternal grandmother of NA Special Secretary Syed Shamoon Hashmi.
Paying tribute to the political, parliamentary and social services of Begum Nafisa Khalid, the speaker said the deceased rendered valuable services for the strengthening of democracy and the promotion of democratic values in the country.
Secretary, Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), National Assembly Dr Shahida Rehmani also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the passing of Begum Nafisa and said the late MNA was a distinguished political and parliamentary figure who devoted her life to democracy, public service and the welfare of the people.
Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2026
