Woman of Pakistani descent elected as New Jersey mayor

ISLAMABAD: In a positive development, a Pakistani-American woman Fauzia Janjua has been elected as the town mayor of New Jersey, The News reported Friday. 

Hailing from Chakwal, Punjab, Fauzia took the oath of her new responsibility on the Holy Quran alongside her husband and children at the Township Hall. 

She is the first Muslim lady of Pakistani origin to have been elected town mayor from New Jersey. In her speech on the occasion, Fauzia described her election as a moment of pride. 

New Jersey State Representative, Carol Murphy, wrote on X: "It is such a great honour to administer the oaths of office tonight in Mount Laurel. It was extremely special to celebrate my dear friends — Mayor Fozia Janjua (1st Muslim & South Asian Mayor in township history) & Deputy Mayor Nik Moustakas on this historic occasion."

Fauzia’s father Idris belongs to Chakwal while her mother hails from Lahore. Her father migrated to the US in the 70s where Fauzia was born. She said she has opted for community service and is imparting education to poor children and prisoners.

With her election to the town, the mayoral position has gone to Democrats for the first time in 36 years. Prior to her election, the mayor slot was always held by a Republican representative.