he story of Tanzeela Qambrani offers hope and inspiration in a society where social hierarchies are often deeply entrenched. As the first Sheedi woman elected to the Provincial Assembly of Sindh in 2018, her ascent from a marginalised community to political power reflects the perseverance and vision needed to overcome barriers.

Coming from a marginalised community of African descent Tanzeela, has become a symbol of resilience and empowerment. She was born in Badin, a coastal district of Sindh, into a family that emphasised education and service. Tanzeela’s father, Abdul Bari was a lawyer; her mother a school teacher. Despite facing societal prejudices due to her ethnicity and gender, she pursued higher education and earned a postgraduate degree in computer science. A mother of three, she has to balance her personal and political lives. She has worked tirelessly for the empowerment of women, access to education and civic rights of her community.

The Sheedi community traces its roots back to Africa, primarily Tanzania. Sheedis have lived in Sindh for centuries. Despite their long history in the region, they have faced systemic discrimination because of their African descent. This deep-rooted marginalisation made it rare, if not impossible, to see a Sheedi in a position of power. The stigma of having descended from slaves has lingered heavily on the Sheedi community, affecting their social mobility and access to opportunities. Tanzeela Qambrani’s rise signals a shift in this entrenched discrimination and represents the beginning of a new era.

Tanzeela’s path to the Sindh Assembly was not without challenges. When she entered politics she was appointed as the chairperson of the municipal council of Matli in Badin district, an influential position in her community. However, she soon encountered fierce opposition from local political elites, including some leaders within her own Pakistan Peoples Party. These people refused to accept a Sheedi woman as their leader. Tanzeela was eventually ousted from the position.

The opposition was not just political; it was deeply rooted in prejudice. The councillors’ refusal to work under a Sheedi woman highlighted the entrenched discrimination. Not one to be deterred, Tanzeela used these challenges as motivation to continue her fight for representation, equality and justice for her community.

As a member of the Provincial Assembly, Tanzeela Qambrani has remained steadfast in her commitment to social justice and women’s empowerment. “My objectives are very clear. I aim to work towards furthering women empowerment. In addition to that, I want to work for better access to education and safe drinking water,” she says.

Her dedication to these causes is evident in her legislative work. She has been vocal about the need to improve the educational system in Sindh, particularly for children from underprivileged backgrounds. For Tanzeela education is not just a tool for personal empowerment but also a means of uplifting entire communities.

She has fought for policies that would provide better access to clean drinking water in Sindh, a region where water scarcity and contamination are critical issues. Her focus on these practical everyday needs reflects her commitment to improving the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly those from marginalised communities.

Tanzeela’s rise to political prominence is particularly significant when viewed in the context of minority representation in Pakistan. 

Tanzeela has also championed legislation that addresses the specific challenges faced by the Sheedi community. For instance, she played a pivotal role in passing laws that protect Sheedis from discrimination in the educational institutions and workplaces. Under these laws any teacher found guilty of discriminating against Sheedi students would face expulsion from their job. This legislation marks a significant step in combating the systemic racism that has long plagued the Sheedi people.

Tanzeela’s rise to political prominence is particularly significant in the context of minority representation in Pakistan. She firmly believes that her Pakistan Peoples Party is the only political force in the country that has worked consistently to uplift women and minorities. “I often say that the PPP gives the earth and the sky to its workers. I strongly believe that it is the only party that works for the representation of minorities,” Tanzeela remarks.

Her election is part of a broad effort by the PPP to bring marginalised voices into the political mainstream. From Krishna Kohli, the first Hindu Dalit woman senator to Surendar Valasai, the PPP has championed the cause of the oppressed. Tanzeela is proud to be part of this endeavor and sees herself as a continuation of the party’s efforts to promote inclusivity and social justice.

In 2021, Tanzeela broke yet another barrier when she was appointed special assistant to the Sindh chief minister for information technology. This appointment was historic as it marked the first time a member of the Sheedi community had been given such a prominent role in the provincial cabinet.

Having a postgraduate degree in computer science, Tanzeela was qualified for this role. Her background in technology allowed her to bring a fresh perspective to governance in a country where the digital divide remains a significant issue. By promoting technological literacy and innovation she aims to bridge this gap and ensure that the people of Sindh have access to the opportunities that technology offers.

Her work in this area is particularly important for women and girls who are often left behind in the tech industry. Tanzeela is passionate about empowering women to enter computer science and information technology fields. She believes that this will open new doors for them in the job market and beyond.

She has also taken her message of empowerment and equality to the international stage. During a visit to the United Nations she introduced the Sheedi community to a global audience. “In the UN, I was told they were not aware that there was a Sheedi community in Pakistan” she recalled.

For Tanzeela this was a pivotal moment—an opportunity to bring visibility to a community that had been long overlooked globally. Her efforts to raise awareness about the Sheedi community have inspired researchers and students around the world to study the history and culture of the Sheedis.

“If someone doesn’t know you, they will not even think about you”, she said, underscoring the importance of representation in every arena, from local governance to global diplomacy.

Tanzeela’s vision for the future is one where education, respect and equal opportunity are available to all, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or background.

“My vision is to work for providing education opportunities to women as well as children who cannot afford it,” she has stated.

For the Sheedi community, Tanzeela’s leadership has been nothing short of revolutionary. By naming schools after prominent people like Ghaus Muhammad Sheedi and Muhammad Siddique Musafir, she is ensuring that future generations will remember the contributions of the Sheedis to Pakistan’s history.

The author is a research scholar and a freelance journalist