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)
