KOHISTAN (Daily Point) — In an unprecedented move, the ultraconservative districts of Kohistan and Torghar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, are set to witness a diverse electoral contest in the upcoming general elections on February 8. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has taken a bold step by fielding women candidates in these traditionally male-dominated areas on Monday.
Shakeela Rabbani, the Divisional General Secretary of PTI Women Wing, emphasized that while the party does not claim to be a champion of women’s rights, it has demonstrated its commitment to women’s empowerment through practical actions. Following the advice of PTI founder Imran Khan, women aspirants from the party have submitted their nomination papers for the upcoming elections in Kohistan and Torghar districts.
This marks a historic moment as, for the first time in the country’s history, the candidates’ lists for Torghar and Kohistan constituencies include names of female aspirants. The nomination papers of all candidates, including women, have been cleared by their respective returning officers (ROs).
Shakeela Rabbani, who has been actively participating in general elections from the tribal belt of Mansehra district NA-41 Torghar, received approval from the RO to engage in electioneering in this constituency.
Other notable women candidates from PTI include Uzma Riaz, the Divisional President of PTI Women Wing, who is a former provincial lawmaker and is contesting elections from PK-31 Upper Kohistan. Tehmina Faheem and Rina Anwar, both PTI leaders, have also submitted their nomination papers from the same constituency.
Momina Basit, a member of PTI’s central governing body, is running in KP-33 of Kolai-Palas (Kohistan), and her nomination papers have also been cleared by the relevant RO.
Shakeela Rabbani highlighted that PTI is addressing the issues faced by women in these remote parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasizing the significance of having a women’s chapter in Upper Kohistan. Rina Anwar, the president of this chapter and a local resident, is among the potential candidates from PTI in the region.
Source: The News
