FATA woman activist Ali Begum set to contest for National Assembly seat

The woman left the country in 2009 due to the volatile security situation in her hometown

PARACHINAR: Ali Begum, a renowned personality in Kurram Agency, Fata has set her sights on forthcoming elections in NA-46 constituency, aiming to defy the odds to highlight the woes of her hometown as a female lawmaker.

The woman had departed to the US back in 2009 after serving on various government positions as a grade 22 officer due to the volatile security situation in the area.

"Since politics is a new ground for women, I decided to take courage to promote a better culture and politics," Ali Begum said during an interview with The Express Tribune. "This is why I have stepped in this ground."



"My area of Kurram Agency is very backward. When I see people progressing [elsewhere], I long for the same in my country and basically I have come forward with the dream of the agency's development and progress."

When asked about her future ambitions, the woman said, "My desires are basically directed towards education and health but are also aimed at creating a feasible environment where the public is provided access to modern day facilities which include electricity, IT and better facilities."

"Fata especially needs attention in health and environment. Right now, my immediate thoughts are that that we can start a drainage project and environment as a federal programme, or include it in the yearly development programme.

"This will be the first step for a very major task and right now these are my development ambitions," she concluded.