Samia Usman Fatah (born 28 July 1940) [1] is a former politician from Pakistan. In 1973, she became the first woman to be elected to the country's Upper House, the Senate.
Fatah came from Gujrat and was born into a middle-class family. [2] She completed her schooling. She is married to Sheikh Usman Fateh.
Fatah and her husband were both founding members of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). [2] Her husband, however left the party in 1972. [2] In 1968 she was appointed President of PPP's Women's Wing for the District of Gujrat. [2]
A PPP candidate, Fatah was elected on a general seat in 1973. This made her the country's first woman senator [3] and the only one during her tenure. [2] [4] Taking the oath on 6 August 1973, she served one term between August 1973 and August 1975. [5] During her tenure, she served on the Committee on Finance, Planning and Development of the Economic Affairs and Statistical Division. [6]
Again on the PPP ticket, Fatah was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan on a special seat in 1977. [1]
In February 1975, Fatah was part of Prime Minister, Zulfikhar Ali Bhutto's entourage on his official visit to the USA. [2] [7]
She organised protests and demonstrated against the military dictatorship of Zia-ul-Haq in 1977. [1]