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Sharmila Farooqi is a Pakistani politician from Karachi, who served as an advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh from September 2008 till January 31, 2011. Born into a political family, she’s a Pakistan People’s Party loyalist.
Sharmila is a known face on TV and in the newspapers. The niece of Salman Farooqui, Sharmila has been at the forefront of defending the rights and wrongs of the government with such conviction. MM News speaks to Sharmila Farooqi on her inspirations, political journey, and achievements.
MM News: You have become a prominent member of the PPP? How was your experience to reach the position?
Sharmila Farooqi: I’m a member of PPP for the past 11 years and have a nice experience overall. Party’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari brought me into politics and he is also my mentor. Obviously, bullying is present at every party, because positions are less.
It’s a very competitive field, and the only way to reach such a position is hard work and there are no shortcuts. I worked really hard to prove myself as a great politician. I’m thankful to the party leadership to give me important positions and ministries.
MM News: What challenges did you face as a woman in politics? What advice would you give others?
Sharmila Farooqi: A woman faces numerous challenges in every field, including politics. People don’t take women seriously today also until they prove themselves. In politics, there are fewer party positions and ministries for women, and I had also faced these kinds of challenges in my political carrier.
However, after a few years, I proved myself in such a way that every party member praised my talent and capabilities to hold important positions. My advice to other women is, do hard work, hard work and hard work. Keep it in mind that there are no shortcuts.
MM News: How do you respond to criticism that PPP govt has not done enough for Sindh?
Sharmila Farooqi: I usually respond to such criticism by highlighting that Sindh has the best health system as compared to other provinces. You can take the example of NICVD. Pakistan People’s Party has provided solar energy to those rural and downward areas, where one has ever stepped in.
We have provided laws to those rural areas’ citizens, especially women, such as the Child Marriages Restraint Act 2013. And in every election, PPP’s vote bank is constantly increasing, which is the best response to such criticism.
MM News: What has the Sindh government done for women empowerment? Have you worked on any legislation for women’s rights?
Sharmila Farooqi: Steps for women empowerment in Sindh was already taken in the tenure of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. Women’s Development ministry, women police station, and human rights ministry were created.
Legislations related to women, including burns victims, women empowerment, Child Marriages Restraint Act, reproductive healthcare rights, dowry and recent Maternity benefits, were presented by the PPP-led Sindh government.
I had also worked on several legislations, such as the Child Marriages Act, corporal punishment. I had almost tabled 13 legislations in the previous assembly.
MM News: What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Sharmila Farooqi: My greatest achievement varies from time and situation. I think Autism centre, which is currently the biggest in South Asia, the rehabilitation centre for burns victims and tabling child Marriages Act were my greatest achievements.
Later, bringing important resolutions for women journalists facing harassment and animal welfare act are also my greatest achievements. In my tenure as the provincial information minister, there wasn’t any corruption of any means and the department worked streamlined.
MM News: What is your stance on feminism and the movement for women’s rights?
Sharmila Farooqi: Obviously, all women are feminists. I think that women’s rights movements across the world are always successful. Today, when we raised voice for women’s mental help and against rape cases, it is our greatest achievement.
Because, such issues were not highlighted before, and nowadays, legislations are also made, and actions are also being taken in this regard.
MM News: What else do you think needs to be done for women empowerment in the country?
Sharmila Farooqi: I think equal wages should be provided to every woman and not only legislation should be made but also every public and private sector should consider t as a priority. Women quotas in every place, including cabinet and assembly, should be increased up to 50 percent.
MM News: How has politics been different in the last decade since the passing of Benazir Bhutto? How did you adapt to it?
Sharmila Farooqi: Politics is an ever-changing profession. A great politician adopts changes according to the time and situation. It wasn’t difficult for me to change as per requirements. It comes very easily.
MM News: What has been the biggest weakness of the PTI government?
Sharmila Farooqi: The biggest weakness of the PTI government is its incompetence. Almost every member of the party is incompetent. The rising inflation in the country and the economic crisis are due to the incompetence of the government. The government has also failed to fulfill its promises, which is also the biggest upset for the citizens.
MM News: What’s next for the PPP? How will the party return to power?
Sharmila Farooqi: There were always ups and downs in PPP’s politics. Forming a government is not only the accomplishment of a party. Inshaa Allah, the time is not far when Bilawal Bhutto, through his hard work, will become the Prime Minister of the country.
Similarly, the Pakistan Democratic Movement is also the biggest accomplishment for PPP because the party has brought every democracy-supported parties on a single platform.
MM News: Who is your role model – in life and politics?
Sharmila Farooqi: My role model in politics is Nelson Mandela, who fought for his people and their rights and didn’t give up after surviving 27 years of imprisonment. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto is also my role model, who sacrificed her life for the country. My father was always my role model in life. I have learned many things from my father including patience and supporting others.
MM News: How do you balance between work and family and also remain active in social circles?
Sharmila Farooqi: You have to manage time for everything. Amid too much work, I had never neglected my family. I try to meet my friends but definitely, it is very difficult for this by having a child.
MM News: What is next for Sharmalia Farooqi in politics?
Sharmila Farooqi: I will further work hard, it’s what next for me. I had already served ministries and important position in my life. I think, if I managed to prove myself in the political history of the country, it would be my great achievement. I’m not very ambitious to become this or that.
