As Pakistani politicians struggle to cope with the legacy of the former military dictator, Zia-ul-Haq, facing disqualification threat as per the article 62-63 in the constitution (introduced by Zia), somewhere else in the country history is being made by defying the dead dictator. Two tribal women, one from the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) and the other one from the Provincially Administrated Tribal Areas (PATA) have filed nomination papers to contest the upcoming elections.
Badam Zari will contest the election from Bajur Agency, one of the seven tribal agencies under FATA — a lawless semi-autonomous enclave where tribal women are generally disallowed to even cast votes in the elections let alone contest the elections.
The other woman, Nusrat Begum will contest from Lower Dir — an area that was occupied by Taleban in 2008-2009 who put up a stiff resistance to Pakistan Army’s operation to drive them out.
Though we all welcome this mindset change from the comfort of our cozy living rooms, these two women face the real danger in a brutal world. They are taking up the challenge to get themselves accepted as equal human beings while challenging the Taleban who have made the tribal areas hostage at gunpoint. Health workers are unable to proceed with polio vaccination campaigns. Hospitals, primary health care units, girls schools are frequently targeted with impunity. Women rights activists are prey for vultures from the dark ages. Need not to mention of Farida Afridi, Malala Yousufzai and Parveen Rehman who were openly threatened by Taleban and targeted at the first opportunity.
We don’t want to establish memorial funds in the name of Badam Zari and Nusrat Begum, we want them to be alive and play an active role in politics. As the residents of FATA and PATA can’t bank on the government for security, therefore they have to protect these women candidates by themselves. Badam and Nusrut may be the first drop of rain in a suffocating hot summer, which has lasted 40 years since Americans defeated Soviets in Afghanistan. We have to break this never-ending cycle of miseries in our region. — Masood Khan, Jubail
Fighting for their rights
