Begum Zari Sarfraz

Zar Nigar, popularly known as Begum Zari Sarfraz, was born in Mardan in July 1923 and the daughter of the late Khan Bahadur Muhammad Sarfraz Khan. She was educated in the Presentation Convent School, Srinagar.

She made her debut in the political field in 1944 by becoming a member of the Muslim League. In 1945, she organised Mardan District Women's Committee of the Muslim League and later became its President.

She played a remarkable role during the 1946 Elections in support of the League and along with other women workers held meetings urging women to support the League financially and to vote for the League candidates. During the election tours of the women delegates of the central sub-committee and the Punjab provincial woman's sub-committee, she rendered enormous help and also played the part of an interpreter in Pushto during the women's gatherings. During the riots in Bihar, she rendered meritorious services and drew the admiration of the Quaid.

In the civil disobedience movement she played a significant role in the political awakening of the womenfolk in the Frontier province. In the capacity of one of the women leaders of the province, she gave her fervent support to the League. The unity of Pathan women particularly in the district of Mardan and its adjacent areas was greatly attributed to her. Begurn Zari Sarfraz organised several meetings and led numerous processions and was a member of the `action committee' formed in the Frontier province. On the visit of Lord Mountbatten to Peshawar, the Begum along with other women leaders saw the Viceroy and the governor to place their grievances before them.

During the referendum in the N.W.F.P. in July 1947, she again made several whirlwind tours of various places and urged Pathan women to vote for the League demand.