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 comes from Gujrat and was born into a middle-class family.[2] She completed her schooling in English-medium schools. Her late husband was 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. 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]