Political parties back women’s effective role in politics

LAHORE: Major national and regional political parties of the country, during a national convention on women's effective political participation on Thursday, demanded the Election Commission of Pakistan ensure free, fair and credible general elections for the national and provincial assemblies of the country.

The parties which endorsed the 13-point charter of demand presented during the convention included Pakistan People's Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamiat Ulema-e- Islam (Fazl), Jamaat-e-Islami, National Party, Awami National Party, Qaumi Watan Party, Mazdoor Kissan Party and Haqooq-e-Khalq Party. Only the Pakistan Muslim League-N was absent from the convention despite invitation and confirmation by Azma Bukhari.

Shabnam Rasheed of SAP-Pakistan read out the charter of demand to representatives of political parties and participants including women delegations from all across Pakistan.

PTI’s Mahinder Pal Singh said that his party supports all demands including free, fair elections and greater representation of women in assemblies through democratic process. Ch Manzoor Ahmed of PPP endorsed the charter of demand and appreciated this move. Naeema Kishwar of JUI (F) said her party believes in democratic struggle including for the realisation of greater participation of women in politics. She urged the political parties to field the women candidates from strong constituencies of the party rather than keeping them a performa candidate to meet the election rules.

National Party leader Yasmin Lehri said the respect of women does not lie in keeping them behind the four walls of the house but in providing them environment that helps them to identify and explore their talent. She said only those societies prosper and become enlightened that provide their women equal and befitting opportunities. She lauded the role played by SAP-Pakistan for helping women from remote areas of the country including Balochistan in mainstream politics.

Shahida Waheed of Awami National Party said her party played an important role in the passage of 18th Amendment to the constitution that led to play important role in enhancing participation of women in politics and also in different other spheres of the society. She said her party would continue to strive for enhanced educational facilities for women.

Tariq Ahmed of Qaumi Watan Party said that he considered the 13-point charter of demand as important and it will be presented in the executive committee meeting for consideration. Rubina Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami also endorsed the charter of demands including the announcement of date for general elections. She said her party is the only democratic party in the country that elects its ameer from district level to the national level.

Haqooq-e-Khalq Party leader Dr Aaliya also endorsed the demands for general elections and greater participation of women in the elections. She said her party is the greatest champion of the rights of women, students, peasants and labourers as they form the very basics of its manifesto. Adeeba Akram of Mazdoor Kissan Party also endorsed the charter of demands and said it is important for democracy and politics in the country that elections are not delayed any further and be held in January next year.

Newly formed National Democratic Movement leader Bushra Gohar said charter of demands presented by SAP-Pakistan are realistic and if acted upon it properly then it can lead the country towards greater political stability. Irfan Mufti of Pakistan moderated the session. The convention also marked 35 years of SAP-Pakistan’s struggle for empowerment of the marginalised, democracy and rule of law.