Nahid Mehboob Elahi ( 1958 – 2010), the first female Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan, from Bhera, district Sargodha

Nahid Mehboob Elahi ( 1958 – 2010),

She was the first female Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan and one of the founding members of the Women’s Crisis Centres all over Pakistan. She belonged to Bhera, district Sargodha.

Nahida was a brilliant advocate. A courageous, caring, and humble woman. She loved her hometown and looked after its people. She provided free-of-cost consultation on legal issues, particularly to females. She was genuinely concerned for the betterment of Bhera. Her work, enthusiasm, and achievements in life should inspire the young girls of Bhera.

Nahida passed away on 17 February 2010, aged 52, in Rawalpindi and was laid to rest in Bhera – the town she adored throughout her life. May Allah Almighty bless her soul! Ameen

Zahid Mumtaz

To be continued …

An article on Nahid Mehboob Elahi in Urdu

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100 Years of Women in Law: 1923- 2023. Photo Exhibition – 25,26,27 April 2024. Alhamra Art Gallery ( Ustad Allah Buksh Gallery ) Mall Road, Lahore

Nahida Mehboob Elahi . Comment from father, lawyer after mother offers deal. The link is given below:

Brief Profile – Nahida Mehboob Elahi

Nahida was the First Female Deputy Attorney General for Pakistan appointed in 2004. She started her practice in subordinate courts in 1985. She became an Advocate High Court in 1987 and was enrolled as an Advocate Supreme Court in 1998. She also has the distinction of being the first female standing counsel in the Supreme Court in 2022.

She worked to uplift her community in Bhera, the town from where she belonged and often fought cases of people from Bhera on probono basis. Particularly of women.

Nahida Mehbob Elahi was a member of the District Bar Association, Rawalpindi. She was the only elected female member of Punjab Bar Council between 2000-2005.

She has held several important positions including but not limited to the following:

– Chairperson Human Rights Committee of the Punjab Bar Council

– Chairperson Management Committee Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Crises Centre, Islamabad

– Chairperson Task Force Crises Centre Islamabad

– President and VP of Punjab Women Lawyers Association

– Member Hadood Laws Review Committee

– General Secretary Human Rights Society of Pakistan Rawalpindi / Islamabad Chapter

– Member Syndicate Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi

– Trustee Zahida Parveen Trust (for relief of women victims of violence)

Nahida had delivered lectures at renowned universities, bar associations, and workshops in America, Britain, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Geneva, India and across the world. She was a strong human rights activist and had written and presented articles on discriminatory laws globally in various seminars.

Nahida made continuous efforts for the protocol between the higher judiciary of Britain and Pakistan to stop child abduction between these countries. She was among 60 renowned women of the legal community and judiciary, invited to America for networking, interaction and learning of different judicial systems.

She established Nahida and Khawaja Law Associates – a firm renowned for providing legal aid to weaker segments of society particularly, women and minorities. More than 50 female and male lawyers were associated with the firm in her life who are today successful in the profession and in the judiciary.

She was an active member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and participated in the historic procession of 12th February 1983 against discriminatory laws of evidence which is since celebrated as Pakistan’s National Women’s Day.

Recently, the District Bar Association Rawalpindi office bearers dedicated the Ladies’ Bar Room in the name of Nahida Mehboob Elahi.

After her sad demise in 2010, her husband Khawaja Zahid Nasim set up a foundation named the Naida Mehbob Elahi Foundation, which is working humbly for weaker segments of society to continue her legacy.