Farzana Sharmin | |
|---|---|
| ফারজানা শারমিন | |
Sharmin in Dhaka (2025) | |
| Minister of State for Social Welfare, Women and Children Affairs | |
| Assumed office 17 February 2026 | |
| Prime Minister | Tarique Rahman |
| Member of the Bangladesh Parliament for Natore-1 | |
| Preceded by | Md. Abul Kalam |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1984 (age 41) Bangladesh |
| Party | Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
| Parent |
|
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician |
Farzana Sharmin Putul (born November 1984) [1] is a Bangladeshi lawyer and Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician. She is the incumbent member of Jatiya Sangsad representing the Natore-1 constituency since February 2026. [2]
Sharmin was a member of the Anti Corruption Commission reform commission of the Muhammad Yunus led interim government during 2024–2026. [3] She has been practicing law at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. [4] As a member of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, she served on its Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee, Human Rights Committee, and Media Cell Committee. [5] [6]
Sharmin was born in Bangladesh in November 1984. [1] [7] Her father, Fazlur Rahman Potol, was a State Minister for Youth, Sports, and Communications and a four-time elected Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Natore-1 constituency. [7]
Sharmin pursued legal studies at the University of Dhaka and the University of London, earning undergraduate law degrees from both institutions. [7] She further obtained two master's degrees in law, one from the University of Dhaka and another from BPP University College in London. [7]
Sharmin began her legal career in 2008 as an advocate at the District Court of Bangladesh. [7] In 2012, she was admitted to practice at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. [7] She has built expertise in criminal litigation, judicial review, and constitutional law. [7] She has worked as an associate at the legal firm 'Barrister Moudud Ahmed and Associates' and is currently a partner at RIGHTS Chambers. [7] Additionally, she has served as a legal advisor to various banks, insurance companies, and private enterprises. [7] She is a lawyer of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. [8]
Sharmin is listed as an English-speaking lawyer with the British High Commission’s retained list in Dhaka. [7] She is a member of several legal organizations, including the International Bar Association, the Society of the Middle Temple (England), the Asian Society of International Law (AsiaSIL), and the Dhaka Bar Association. [7]
Sharmin is actively engaged in Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) politics. [7] [9] She serves as a member of the special assistant to the BNP Chairperson’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee. [7] Additionally, she contributes to BNP's Human Rights Committee and Media Cell Committee. [7] In 2023, she was a director of Lysander Tech Limited, based in the United Kingdom. [1]
After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government in August 2024, Sharmin was made a member of the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission of the Muhammad Yunus led interim government. [10] She has represented Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, general secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, in his challenge of the 15th amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh. [11] [12]
Sharmin won the 2026 Bangladeshi general election contesting at the Natore-1 constituency securing 102,726 votes while his nearest opponent Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abul Kalam Azad got 90,568 votes. [2]