Samar Haroon Bilour: From Her Husband’s Martyrdom to Politics, Now Appointed Adviser for Information in Governor’s Advisory Council

PESHAWAR: Samar Haroon Bilour’s political journey began under tragic circumstances following the martyrdom of her husband, Haroon Bilour. Years later, she has taken another significant step in her political career after being appointed Adviser for Information and Broadcasting to the Governor’s Advisory Council in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The development comes after the announcement of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in the province. An 11-member advisory council has reportedly been formed to assist the Governor in managing provincial affairs, with Samar Haroon Bilour among its members.
A Tragic Phone Call Before the Attack
Daniyal Bilour shared the account while addressing leaders and workers of the Awami National Party (ANP) just hours after his father’s martyrdom.
According to the account, at around 11 p.m., Haroon Bilour attempted to call his son, Daniyal, but his number was busy. He subsequently sent him a message through a friend, advising him to avoid attending the meeting.
Approximately 20 minutes after that phone call, an explosion occurred in Peshawar’s Yakatoot area, killing Haroon Bilour.
The tragic incident took place on July 10, 2018, when Haroon Bilour was attending a corner meeting as part of the ANP’s election campaign. He was heading towards the stage when the attack occurred.
Haroon Bilour’s Political Campaign
Haroon Bilour was contesting the provincial assembly election from PK-78 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. His death brought an abrupt end to his political campaign and profoundly affected his family.
Following his assassination, his wife, Samar Haroon Bilour, entered active politics despite not having previously intended to pursue a political career.
A Family with Deep Political Roots
Samar Haroon Bilour also comes from a politically active family. Her father, Irfanullah Marwat, was involved in Sindh politics and was elected to the Sindh Assembly on several occasions.
After her marriage, she became part of Peshawar’s prominent Bilour family. Her father-in-law, Bashir Ahmad Bilour, was a senior ANP leader and former senior minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Tragically, Bashir Ahmad Bilour was also killed in an attack in Peshawar on December 22, 2012.
Entering Politics After Her Husband’s Death
Before Haroon Bilour’s assassination, Samar had not actively pursued electoral politics or sought membership of the provincial assembly.
In October 2018, renowned journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai wrote that the circumstances following Haroon Bilour’s death had compelled Samar to enter active politics. According to his account, she was not prepared for such a role, but her family, particularly her two sons, encouraged her to contest the election.
Victory in the By-Election
The Awami National Party nominated Samar Haroon Bilour to contest the seat left vacant by her husband’s death.
In the by-election held on October 21, 2018, she defeated the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate and secured victory.
Her success marked a significant milestone in her political career and established her as one of the prominent women to win a general seat in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from Peshawar.
Building Her Own Political Identity
Following her electoral victory, Samar Haroon Bilour began establishing her own political identity while carrying forward her husband’s legacy. She remained active in the ANP and also served as the party’s provincial spokesperson.
However, she was unable to retain the PK-78 seat in the 2024 general elections, marking an important turning point in her political journey.
Departure from ANP and Joining PML-N
Another major change came in July 2025, when Samar Haroon Bilour left the Awami National Party and joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
She made the announcement following a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to Samar, discussions with PML-N had been underway for some time, and she wanted to continue working for the people of Peshawar.
Some political circles speculated that her decision might have been linked to assurances regarding a reserved seat or a political position.
Following her move to PML-N, Samar Haroon Bilour became a member of the National Assembly.
Appointment to the Governor’s Advisory Council
On October 11, 2026, Samar Haroon Bilour reached another milestone in her political career when she was reportedly included in an 11-member Governor’s Advisory Council formed following the announcement of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The council is intended to assist the Governor in managing the province’s administrative affairs. Samar Haroon Bilour has reportedly been assigned responsibility as Adviser for Information and Broadcasting.
Her latest appointment represents another chapter in a political journey that began in the aftermath of a devastating personal tragedy and has since included electoral success, party changes, and a return to a prominent political role.
Edited by: Adeeb Yousafzai