Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan
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| Born | 7 December 1924 |
| Died | 26 January 2015 (aged 90) |
| Nationality |  Pakistan |
| Occupation | politician, businesswoman |
| Awards | Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Distinction) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2008 |
Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan (born December 7, 1924 – died January 26, 2015) was an important Pakistani businesswoman, politician, and social worker. She came from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
Begum Kulsum led the Saif Group of companies from 1964 to 1990. She also served as a parliamentarian (a member of the country's law-making body) and a federal minister (a high-ranking government official) in Pakistan during the 1970s and 1980s.
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About Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan
Her Early Life and Family
Kulsum was born in 1924 in Karak, which is in Kohat. She grew up in a Pashtun family. Her brothers, Muhammad Aslam Khan Khattak and Yusuf Khattak, were also well-known politicians in Pakistan.
Kulsum married Khan Saifullah Khan, a respected businessman from Ghaznikhel, Lakki Marwat. He was a Khan of the Marwat Tribe. Together, they had five sons: Anwar Saifullah Khan, Salim Saifullah Khan, Humayun Saifullah Khan, Javed Saifullah Khan, and the famous heart doctor Iqbal Saifullah Khan.
Leading a Business Empire
After her husband, Saifullah Khan, passed away suddenly in 1964, Begum Kulsum took charge of his businesses. Even though she didn't have formal business training, she worked hard. She successfully grew the company into one of Pakistan's top business groups.
Today, the Saif Group is involved in many areas. These include making textiles (fabrics), generating electricity, exploring for oil and gas, and telecommunications (like phone and internet services). Her story shows how determined she was.
Political Challenges and Achievements
Begum Kulsum also faced challenges in her life. She was held for a time during a period of political change in Pakistan.
She made history by becoming the first woman federal minister in Pakistan. She also served as a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, which is like a parliament.
Awards and Community Work
In 2008, Begum Kulsum received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Distinction) award. This is a very high honor given by the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.
She was also very active in social work. Begum Kulsum helped start the All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA) in 1947. She worked closely with its founder, Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan, until 1951. She even wrote a book about her business journey called 'Meri Tanha Parwaz' (My Solo Flight), which was published in 2011.
Death
Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan passed away on January 26, 2015, at the age of 90.
