Zarqa Taimur

Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur is a Pakistani politician who has been a Member of the Senate of Pakistan, since March 2021.

Senator Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur
Member of the Senate of Pakistan
Incumbent
Assumed office 12 March 2021
Personal details
Nationality	Pakistani
Political party	Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Website	Official website

Summary

Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur is a Pakistani senator, aesthetic dermatologist, and sociopolitical activist. A visionary committed to the cause of helping marginalized segments of society, Dr Zarqa has over 30 years of experience in the uplifting of various communities including women and the differently abled. These passions have given her international exposure to more than 80 different nationalities through lobbying, building relationships with stakeholders, and representing Pakistan at various platforms globally. In addition to being a public speaker of high repute, she is also a famed media personality and author.

Early Years

She was born Zarqa Ulyamama Suharwardy in Muzaffarabad, Azaad Kashmir on December 21^st, 1966. The youngest of three sisters and one brother, she attended Presentation Convent Rawalpindi, and completed her matriculation from there.

Education

She completed her medical education from Rawalpindi Medical College in 1988 topping amongst both boys and girls in all of Punjab. She received 11 gold medals and Distinctions in Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Community Medicine. Following that, she pursued her fellowship in General Medicine from the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (FCPS 1993). She taught at Fatima Jinnah Medical College as Assistant Professor Medicine in 1995 – 1997.

She became a Member of the Royal College of Physicians London in 1999, as well as a Member of the Royal College of Occupational Medicine of Ireland in 2006. She later received her Fellowship from the latter in 2008. She further received a Diploma in Occupational medicine from the University of Birmingham in 2002 and went on to receive certification as a Medical Review Officer from the US in 2006.

She completed her Diploma in Practical Dermatology from the Cardiff University, Wales in 2010. From The American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, she received a certification and Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine, and additional training in related fields.

In July 2023, in Lahore, two clinics reportedly belonging to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Senator Dr. Zarqa Taimur were sealed by the Punjab government. The . [1][2]action came shortly after she protested against derogatory remarks made by PML-N leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who referred to women senators in a disrespectful manner during a joint session of the parliament in Islamabad. [3][4]

According to an official privy to the matter, primary and secondary healthcare department secretary Ali Jan allegedly instructed district health officers to take punitive measures against Dr. Zarqa by sealing her clinics. Health teams were promptly dispatched to her clinics in Gulberg and Defence Housing Authority to carry out the task, with the higher health officers being kept informed.

The raiding of Dr. Zarqa's clinics was questioned as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) to check for any medical protocol violations. However, PHC authorities denied any involvement in the sealing of the clinics.

The district health authority claimed that the raids were conducted in response to complaints of violations of anti-dengue regulations by the staff at Dr. Zarqa's clinic. They allegedly found dengue larvae on the premises and noted that the clinic was operated by non-qualified staff, mainly comprising individuals with intermediate qualifications. The staff also reportedly failed to produce the registration letter from the PHC. As a result, the team sealed the clinic and submitted an application to the local police to initiate legal action under the anti-dengue regulations.

In response to the incident, Senator Dr. Zarqa Taimur accused the Punjab government of victimizing her for raising her voice against the insulting campaigns directed at women parliamentarians. She claimed that the health teams raided her clinics illegally and sealed them.

The primary and secondary healthcare minister and the secretary did not respond to the reporter's attempts to reach them for comment.[5]

Family

Daughter to Amnah and Abdul-Haq Suharwardy, her father Abdul Haq Suharwardy migrated from his home town Bhadarwah Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) to newly founded Pakistan in 1948 leaving his entire family behind. He was an eminent Civil Servant and rose to the post of Chief Secretary Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He was an intellectual, well worst in Persian and Arabic, and wrote many books. The most famous book “Tragedy in Kashmir” won many awards and used as a reference for Kashmir’s accession to India at the time of partition 1947.

She married her husband Taimur Tashkeen on December 24^th, 1992.They had their first son, Daayam, in Lahore, Pakistan in October of 1995. After living in Lahore for 5 years, she and her family shifted to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1997.

Here she worked as a consultant at Abha American Hospital, performed Haj and innumerable Umras. In 2000 they moved to Dubai UAE, where they would live until 2010.

She had her second son, Ghanim, in August of 2000. Whilst in Dubai, she worked Jebel Ali Medical Centre as their Medical Director, later to join Dubai Petroleum as their Medical Director and Regional Manager Middle East and North Africa for ConocoPhillips Philips, an American Drilling and exploratory company.

Several years later in February of 2008, the couple welcomed their youngest son, Mahad, into the family. Mahad, being diagnosed with Down syndrome, was a beautiful source of motivation that would help Dr. Zarqa open a new chapter in her life dedicated to raising awareness for learning disabilities.

In June of 2010, the family of five shifted back to Lahore where they could be closer to family and reconnect with their roots. Since then, she has continued to reside in Lahore which is also home to her two sisters Sarosh and Shafaq.

Recent Projects

Capacity building through international collaboration with Prime Health (UK), Sussex Partnership (UK), and the Diocese of Raiwind, Church of England. Community-based programs enacted include master-trainings for female teachers, midwives, and nurses focused on mental and public health. (Sept 2018 -to date.

National Security Workshop (2016): Forum of lawmakers, parliamentarians, and key stakeholders engaged in dialogue to discuss Pakistan’s security. Currently head-coordinator for the Punjab Chapter with the Alumni Association of NSW.

Collaboration and dialogue with the Women Chamber of Commerce Lahore (WCCI) for capacity-building and identifying new avenues to promote women entrepreneurs including through business incubators. (2019)

President of the Women’s Wing Lahore Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) (2014 - 2015);

Head of the Media Division of the Women’s Wing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) (2015 -2017); Built strategic relationships through print and electronic media. Collaborated successfully in softening the narrative surrounding hard-liner columnists and anchors.

Deputy Secretary of Media Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) (2017-2018). Designing and executing of media campaigns. Communication and relationship-building between media and party leadership.

Member of the Women Empowerment Group; Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). Planned and organized a successful Women’s Day Event (March 8^th) at the Governor’s House. (2017)

All-Pakistan Women Association APWA; collaboration on promoting awareness and support for marginalized women, transgendered people, and the differently-abled. Various events planned and executed including seminars, technical consultations, workshops, walks, and cricket matches at the provincial level with collaboration of 21 up, an organization for awareness on Downs Syndrome.

Life Coach and Motivational Speaker for various organization dedicated to empowering the female working class; American Consulate Karachi (2016), International Women’s Club (‘14, ‘15, & ‘18), Women Gynaecologists (2019), Servis Industries (2017), KFC Corporate Social Responsibility Forums (2013 & 2015), the Gender Studies Department of Punjab University (2017-2018).

L’OREAL Honorary Expert Dermatologist since 2012. Contributing to brand development for Pakistani women and promoting ethical products.

Current Work

·      Senator from Punjab (2021).

·      Director and Owner of a successful chain of aesthetic skin clinics in Lahore, Pakistan. (est. 2011). *Check Dr Zarqa’s Laser Skin Clinic*

·      Member of the Medical Tourism Executive _____ in Dubai 2004-2007.

·      Chairperson of Chaman (2019 to 2020) & the 21Up Down Syndrome Awareness Group; liaising with government and non-governmental organizations to lobby for improving conditions and implementing laws.

·      Cofounder of the CHAMP organization, Changing Hearts and Minds of Pakistan, focused on mental health challenges and the leadership and development of young women and the marginalized in society.

·      Spokesperson for the Punjab government; projecting the role of women and marginalized, and building dialogue with the government, key stakeholders, and the media.

·      Member of the Chief Minister Advisory Group on Social Uplift.

·      Member of the Trustee Centre for Profound Education.

·      Executive member of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Women.(2015 to 2016)

·      Gender equality initiatives to promote sensitization and emphasize the role of women.

·      Organizer for motivational and developmental workshops and targeted towards women.

·      Media engagement on social issues including child rights, violence against women, and gender bias.

·      Fluent in Urdu, English and proficient in Arabic.

Achievements

Dawood Ladies Fund Award for stature as an Outstanding Doctor 2015.

Winner of 11 gold medals, best graduate / valedictorian of Punjab University in Medicine 1988-1989.

Author of published articles in The Nation, Lahore; focusing on the role of women in political activism. A written proponent of the need for a rights-based approach to political activism. 2013 - Present

Regular segments on morning shows including the Celebrity Nadia Khan TV Show hosted from 2001 to 2010 in Dubai; motivating women, networking with various demographics in media, and developing global linkages with Pakistan.

Appealed for Women’s Rights by submitting petitions to the High Court against the acts of the local government.

Regular television appearances on renowned news stations such as Geo News, PTV, Dunya, ARY, Waqt, Dawn, and Capital since 2001 to date.

Ran free English classes for taxi drivers in Dubai 2007-2008

President of the Pakistan Medical Association, Dubai 2008 – 2010. Started the first ever free medical camp in Dubai which is still held every month by the Pakistan Association Dubai.

Regional Health Manager for the Middle East and North Africa MENA 2006-2008

Planted 100,000 trees in Murree hills 2012 as part of the Giving Back initiative.

President of the Kashmir Students Action 1989 -1991; responsible for raising for the plight of People in Indian-Held Kashmir.

Areas of Expertise

·       Project Management and Development

·       Marketing and Public Relations

·       Networking and Advocacy

·       Program Design and Implementation

·       Media Handling

·       International Linkages and Lobbying

·       Master Trainer

·       Examination and Evaluation