International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC)
Sitara Ayaz
ستارہ ایاز
First Elected Woman Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
QUICK INFORMATION
- FULL NAME
- Sitara Ayaz
- PLACE OF BIRTH
- Jhanda Village, Swabi District
- EDUCATION
- MA English Literature (1990)
- POLITICAL PARTY
- Awami National Party (ANP)
- SENATE TERM
- 2015 – 2021
- PROVINCIAL MINISTRY
- Social Welfare & Women Development (2008-2013)
- KEY COMMITTEES
- Senate Human Rights Committee
- CURRENT ROLE
- Secretary General, International Parliamentarians Congress
- LANGUAGES
- Pashto, Urdu, English
- NATIONAL RECOGNITION
- National Award for Human Rights (2016)
BIOGRAPHY
Sitara Ayaz (ستارہ ایاز) is a distinguished Pakistani politician, human rights activist, and former Senator who made history as the first woman minister in an elected government in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly NWFP) province. Hailing from Jhanda village in Swabi district, she rose from a rural background to become a pioneering voice for women's rights in Pakistan's conservative Pashtun society.
Ayaz holds a Master's degree in English literature from Jinnah College For Women (1990) and began her career in social welfare before entering politics. She has been affiliated with the Awami National Party (ANP) for over a decade, driven by a commitment to peace, combating extremism, and creating economic opportunities for women.
Trailblazer for Women's Rights
IN THEIR WORDS
Vision & Philosophy
“I will try to start schemes for women so they can earn their livelihood while doing small business from their homes.
“I know there will be problems, but I will like to take the community along. I want to work along with people.
“Women needed economic empowerment, besides basic facilities like health and education, especially in rural areas.
THE JOURNEY
Political & Professional Journey
- 1992
Co-founded the Women Action Forum (WAF) Peshawar chapter, breaking taboos around women's rights discourse in Pashtun society.
- 1990s
Joined the Awami National Party (ANP), beginning her formal political career.
- 2003-2008
Served as Director, All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA) Peshawar, managing welfare projects for women's development.
- 2008
Elected MPA on a reserved seat and nominated Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development — the first woman minister in an elected government in NWFP/KPK history.
- 2008-2013
As Provincial Minister, passed landmark legislation including the Anti-Ghag Bill and the Women Harassment Act, and established the Provincial Commission on Status of Women & Children.
- 2015
Elected to the Senate of Pakistan on ANP's reserved seat for women.
- 2015-2021
Served as Senator; member of the Senate Human Rights Committee and later Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change.
- 2016
Received the National Award for Human Rights from the President of Pakistan — the first woman from KPK to receive this honour.
- Present
Serves as Secretary General of the International Parliamentarians Congress, continuing her work on global parliamentary and human-rights issues.
THE RECORD
Landmark Legislation & Initiatives
Anti-Ghag Bill
Passed legislation against the ancient custom of 'Ghag', a harmful traditional practice affecting women's rights.
Women Harassment Act
First to present and actively implement workplace-harassment legislation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Provincial Commission on Status of Women & Children
Established an institutional framework for monitoring and advancing women's and children's rights.
Model Women Shelter Home
Established the first model shelter for homeless and vulnerable women in the province.
Women's Transport System
Worked to introduce exclusive transport facilities for women to enhance mobility and access to opportunities.
APWA Welfare Projects
2003-2008 — managed multiple initiatives for women's social and financial wellbeing as Director.
Courage in Adversity
Sitara Ayaz's journey has been marked by extraordinary courage in the face of societal and political opposition. As a woman from a conservative Pashtun background advocating for women's rights, she faced numerous hurdles:
THE IMPRINT
Legacy & Impact
Sitara Ayaz's legacy is that of a pathbreaker who opened doors for women in Pakistan's most conservative region. As the first elected woman minister in KPK's history, she established that women could not only participate in politics but lead and legislate effectively.
Her legislative achievements — particularly the Anti-Ghag Bill, the Women Harassment Act, and the Provincial Commission on Status of Women and Children — created lasting institutional frameworks for protecting women's rights. The model shelter home she established continues to provide refuge for vulnerable women.
Beyond legislation, Ayaz's greatest contribution may be her demonstration that women's rights advocacy can succeed while respecting cultural and religious sensitivities, earning her respect across Pakistan's ideological spectrum.
Today, as Secretary General of the International Parliamentarians Congress, she continues to represent Pakistani women on the global stage.
25+ Years
YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE
5+ Major Bills
LANDMARK LEGISLATION
3 (Minister, Senator, HR Award)
HISTORIC FIRSTS
3 (WAF, HRC, Commission)
ORGANIZATIONS FOUNDED
5 Years of Welfare Projects
APWA TENURE
Human Rights Award (2016)
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
I want to create economic opportunities for women. Women need economic empowerment, besides basic facilities like health and education, especially in rural areas.
— Sitara Ayaz