Viqar-un-Nisa [Lady Noon]

Begum Viqar-un-Nisa Noon, an Austrian by birth, was married to Sir Firoz Khan Noon. She left Delhi for Lahore along with her husband after his resignation in September from the Viceroy's cabinet. This was a period of mounting tension on account of the approaching general elections in the subcontinent and an effective propaganda for the League had been undertaken by the Muslim men and women. In Lahore, Begum Viqar-un-Nisa had the opportunity; studying the political situation and public opinion very closely because of her husband leading role in the Indian politics. Very soon, realising the gravity of the situation, she resolved to organise an election campaign, and became a member of the Punjab provincial women's sub-committee. In pursuance of the League's cause, she organised a band of girl students and other women volunteers and made hasty tours of the major districts of the province propagating the cause of the League. She played an important role in the victory of her husband against Dr. Shaikh Muhammad Alam, bart-at-law.

During the civil disobedience movement in the Punjab, Begum Noon was one of the leading women leaders responsible for organising so successfully processions and demonstrations against the British-backed Khizr Ministry and courted arrest on three occasions.

During the period of mass transfer of population after the partition, when millions of homeless and destitute refugees poured into Lahore, she rendered invaluable assistance to various refugee committees and camps. She has been very closely connected with the `Red Cross' for many years and has represented Pakistan on numerous occasions.