Sherry Rehman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids NI Sherry Rehman
Rehman in 2013
Federal Minister of Climate Change
In office 19 April 2022 – 10 August 2023
Prime Minister	Shehbaz Sharif
Preceded by	Malik Amin Aslam
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate of Pakistan
In office 22 March 2018 – 26 August 2018
Preceded by	Aitzaz Ahsan
Succeeded by	Raja Zafar-ul-Haq
Senate of Pakistan
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 June 2015
Constituency	General seat from Sindh
Pakistan Ambassador to the United States
In office 23 November 2011 – 14 October 2013
President	Asif Ali Zardari
Prime Minister	Yusuf Raza Gillani
Preceded by	Husain Haqqani
Succeeded by	Jalil Abbas Jilani
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting
In office 31 March 2008 – 14 March 2009
President	Pervez Musharraf Asif Ali Zardari
Prime Minister	Yusuf Raza Gillani
Preceded by	Nisar Memon
Succeeded by	Qamar Zaman Kaira
Federal Minister for Women Development
In office 15 May 2008 – 3 November 2008
President	Pervez Musharraf Asif Ali Zardari
Prime Minister	Yusuf Raza Gillani
Preceded by	Nazar Muhammad Gondal
Succeeded by	Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani
Federal Minister for Culture
In office 24 May 2008 – 12 August 2008
President	Pervez Musharraf Asif Ali Zardari
Prime Minister	Yusuf Raza Gillani
Preceded by	Khawaja Saad Rafique
Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
In office 17 March 2008 – 23 November 2011
Constituency	Reserved seat for women
In office 2002–2007
Constituency	Reserved seat for women
Personal details
Born	Shehrbano Rahman (1960-12-21) 21 December 1960 (age 64) Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Political party	PPP (2002–present)
Spouse	Nadeem Hussain
Alma mater	Smith College University of Sussex
Awards	Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2013)

Sherry Rehman, born Shehrbano Rahman on December 21, 1960, is a well-known Pakistani politician and journalist. She has been a member of the Senate of Pakistan since 2015. From March to August 2018, she made history as the first female Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. She also served as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States from 2011 to 2013. Sherry Rehman is currently serving as the Federal Minister for the Ministry of Climate Change. This means she helps make important decisions about protecting the environment in Pakistan.

Sherry Rehman was born in Karachi, Pakistan. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Smith College in the United States. Later, she received her Master of Arts (M.A.) in art history from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. In 1988, she became the editor of Herald magazine, where she worked until 1999. In 2002, she was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan. She was re-elected in 2008 and joined the Federal Cabinet as the Minister for Information.

She left the cabinet in 2009. After that, she became the Chair of the Pakistan Red Crescent, which is a humanitarian organization. She also started a research group called the Jinnah Institute. In November 2011, she was appointed as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, a role she held until April 2013. In 2015, she was elected to the Senate of Pakistan.

Early Life and Education

Sherry Rehman was born on December 21, 1960, in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Her father, Hassanally A. Rahman, came from a Sindhi family. Her mother was the first female vice president of the State Bank of Pakistan. Sherry Rehman attended the Karachi Grammar School for her early education.

After finishing school, she moved to the United States. There, she studied at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. In 1985, she earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in political science. She then moved to the United Kingdom to continue her studies. She received a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in art history from the University of Sussex. Today, she leads the Jinnah Institute, which is a research organization.

Professional Career as a Journalist

Sherry Rehman began her career as a journalist. She first worked for The Daily Star. Later, she joined The Herald magazine. At just 26 years old, she became its editor-in-chief, a position she held until 1998.

After leaving The Herald in 1998, she helped write a book called The Kashmiri Shawl: From Jamawar to Paisley. She worked as a journalist for 20 years. From 1988 to 1998, she was also a member of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors. In 1999, Sherry Rehman hosted a television show about current events. She also served as the chairperson for the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, helping with humanitarian efforts.

Political Journey and Roles

Sherry Rehman started her political career when she was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan in 2002. She was a candidate for the PPP on a special seat reserved for women. She served in this role until 2007. During this time, she was the PPP's Central Information Secretary and led the party's policy planning. She was also part of the party's Foreign Relations Committee.

In 2008, she was re-elected to the National Assembly. She again represented the PPP on a reserved seat for women from Sindh. During her second term, she helped create several new laws that were presented in the National Assembly.

Serving as a Federal Minister

In March 2008, Sherry Rehman joined the federal cabinet under Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani. She was appointed as the Minister for Information and Broadcasting. This role meant she was in charge of government communication and media. In April 2008, she also took on the role of Minister for Health. In May 2008, she was given additional responsibilities as Minister for Women Development and Culture. She remained Minister for Culture until August 2008. By November 2008, she had given up her roles as Minister for Health and Women Development.

In March 2009, Sherry Rehman resigned from her position as Information Minister. She did this to protest against government actions that she felt limited the freedom of the press.

Ambassador to the United States

In November 2011, Sherry Rehman was appointed as Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States. This happened after the previous ambassador, Hussain Haqqani, resigned. While serving as ambassador, she asked the United States to stop its drone strikes in Pakistan. She finished her term as ambassador in May 2013.

Joining the Senate

In June 2015, Sherry Rehman was elected to the Senate of Pakistan for the first time. She won a general seat from Sindh as a candidate for the PPP. She took the place of Abdul Latif Ansari.

In March 2018, she was chosen as the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. This was a historic moment, as she became the first woman in Pakistan to hold this important office. She served as the Leader of the Opposition until August 2018.

As of 2020, she was the chairperson of the Senate committee that oversees the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This is a big project involving trade and infrastructure between China and Pakistan.

Advocacy for Climate Change

In 2022, Sherry Rehman spoke to international news organizations about the major floods that hit Pakistan. During the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, she strongly pushed for an agreement on "loss and damage." This means that richer countries should help pay for the damage caused by climate change in poorer countries. She used the floods in Pakistan as a clear example of how climate change was harming her country. After an agreement was reached, she said it gave "hope to vulnerable communities all over the world." She felt it also made the COP process more trustworthy.

Personal Life

Sherry Rehman is married to Nadeem Hussain. He is known for starting Tameer Microfinance Bank.

Awards and Recognition

Sherry Rehman has received many awards for her work:

• 2002: Independent Journalism Award from the UK House of Lords.
• 2006: R.L Shep Ethnic Textiles Book Award for her book The Kashmiri Shawl.
• 2008: International Peace Award for Democrats from the Human Rights Commission.
• 2009: The Freedom Award Pakistan by the Association of Television Journalists.
• 2009: "Democracy's Hero" award from the International Republican Institute.
• 2009: Named one of the 100 Most Influential Asians by the UAE magazine Ahlan.
• 2011: Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Award from The Women's Democracy Network, Washington.
• 2012: Smith College Medal.
• 2013: Nishan-e-Imtiaz, a high civilian award in Pakistan.