Mohammad Asghar (Oscar) was a Member of the Senedd between
May 2007 and June 2020. This was his biography at the time of his death.
Key interests and
achievements
Oscar takes great interest and pride in promoting business
and enterprise on a local, national and international scale. Consequently he
relishes his participation in the CPA (The Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association), where Oscar has developed firm relations with various countries
across the commonwealth to strengthen international relations with Wales.
Oscar believes in integration amongst all communities and
faiths. He has been instrumental in breaking down barriers between different
communities and faiths.
His interests outside politics include cricket, athletics
and badminton. He also holds a Pilot’s licence and is an accountant by
profession.
Personal history
Born in Peshawar in Pakistan, Oscar gained a BA in Political
Science from Peshawar University. He moved to London and completed an MBA
before moving to Wales in order to complete a course in accountancy in Newport.
He is fluent in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.
He’s married to Firdaus, a doctor and the first Muslim
Mayoress in the UK. They have a daughter, Natasha.
Oscar is a very keen sportsman and has always encouraged
participation in sports for all ages. As someone who ran with the Olympic torch
in 1964, he is delighted whenever sporting events unite the nation through
rugby, football, athletics and cricket, and he has always campaigned for Wales
to have its own cricket team.
Professional
background
Oscar began his career working for a firm of chartered
accountants in Newport. He then became a principal of his own accountancy firm
and held various Directorial positions in other businesses before he entered
politics.
He is also a qualified Pilot.
Political history
Oscar became Wales’s first Muslim councillor, representing
Victoria ward on Newport City Council in 2004. He came to prominence after
being elected to the National Assembly for Wales in 2007, and again in 2011 and
2016. He is best known for being the first ethnic minority and Muslim member of
the Assembly and he is extremely proud of his background and journey
Register of Interests
Register
of Interests – Fourth Assembly (PDF, 850kb)
Register
of Interests – Third Assembly (PDF, 490kb)
