Mehnaz Raffi
Mehnaz Rafi | |
|---|---|
| مہناز رفیع | |
| Born | Mehnaz Chaudhry 1943 (age 81–82) |
| Nationality | British Indian (1943-1947) Pakistani (1947-present) |
| Other names | Begum Mehnaz Rafi |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1960 – present |
| Children | 2 |
Mehnaz Rafi (Urdu: مہناز رفیع; born 1943) is a Pakistani politician and women's rights activist. Rafi was as a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 2002 to 2007. She is recognised for her advocacy for women's rights in Pakistan and her role in legislative reforms.[1]
Early life
Mehnaz Rafi was born in 1943 in Lucknow during British India later Mehnaz migrated with her family to Lahore during the partition of India in 1947 and was raised in Lahore. Mehnaz's father Chaudhry Muhammad Rafi was Joint Secretary of the All-India Muslim League Uttar Pradesh (U-P) branch and an active worker of the Pakistan Movement.[1]
Career
Acting career
She started working at Radio Pakistan, then appeared in Pakistan Television ("PTV") dramas in 1964 when PTV was a newly established national channel at Lahore.[1]
She worked in TV dramas in the 1970s written by Ashfaq Ahmed and Bano Qudsia. She worked in more than a hundred dramas on PTV and was a popular actress in 1970s.[1]
Political career
Rafi began her political journey with the Tehrik-i-Istaqlal and later joined the Pakistan Muslim League (N). After becoming a member of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), she contested in the 2002 general elections and was elected to the National Assembly on a reserved seat for women from Punjab.[2][3]
Activist career
Rafi participated in the 1983 women's march in Lahore against oppressive laws under General Zia-ul-Haq. She was among the founding members of the Women's Action Forum (WAF), a collective established to oppose discriminatory laws and advocate for women's rights in Pakistan.[4] She continues to promote women's empowerment through various platforms, including serving as the Women Wing Convenor at the Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust.[5]
Rafi's contributions have been instrumental in raising awareness about women's rights issues in Pakistan. She is regarded as a vocal advocate for legislative reform and gender justice.[6]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Kisan Ki Beti | Chand | PTV |
| 1969 | Talkhi Sham | Neelma | |
| 1970 | Aik Mohabbat So Afsanay | Shaista | |
| 1971 | Dada Aur Dil Dada | Ayesha | |
| 1972 | Maraat-e-Muhabbat | Mona | |
| 1973 | Shana-e-Saba | Rahat | |
| 1974 | Ajar-e-Aswad | Seemi | |
| 1975 | Zood-e-Pashieman | Zahira | |
| 1976 | Aghosh-e-Vida | Irene |
References
- ^ a b c d "چمکتی دمکتی دنیا سے پارلیمنٹ تک". Jang News. 18 July 2018.
- ^ Shah, Sabihuddin (28 October 2002). "Women who made it to National Assembly". Dawn. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Peshawar: Women players at political chessboard". Dawn. 7 October 2002. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Feminists in Action". The News on Sunday. 3 November 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Women Wing – Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust". Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Zaidi, Hassan Belal (9 June 2016). "Sexism at the sovereign". Dawn. Retrieved 6 June 2025.