Begum Jahan Ara Shahnawaz was the daughter of Mian Sir Muhammad Shafi, one of the founders of the Muslim League and President of the League in 1913 and 1927. Begum Jahan Ara was one of the senior most members of the Muslim League. She was an ardent fighter for women’s right and a great advocate for their emancipation.
She had the unique honour of attending the first and second Round Table Conferences as the only Muslim woman member. She attended the Third Round Table Conference as the sole representative of women for British India.
Begum Shah Nawaz took active part in a number of conferences held under the banner of Muslim League. She was an active member of the several committees of the Muslim League before the establishment of Pakistan. She was elected to the Punjab Assembly in 1937 and rose to the status of parliamentary secretary. In 1942 she was sent to the U.S.A with two member delegation by the Quaid-i-Azam. She was to take part in a New York.