Four women of a family in the race
In an unprecedented move, a woman and her three daughters are set to contest the upcoming general elections in Karachi on PML-N tickets. These four women, vying for two National Assembly and two Sindh Assembly seats, all share a background in the field of law.
The decision to award tickets to the four women was based on merit and the extensive battles they have fought, according to the contenders. Naheed Parveen, the PML-N candidate from NA247, also serves as the leader of the PML-N Women's Wing and Lawyers' Forum, and has previously held the position of deputy attorney general.
Her daughters, Sidrat-ul-Muntaha from NA-238, Sarwat Jawahar from PS-100, and Moazama Arjumand from PS-103, are also in the electoral fray. According to Parveen, her daughters actively participated in meetings and demonstrations during the 1990s while she was engaged in the struggle with the PML-N to restore democracy.
Defending the decision to nominate herself and her three daughters, Parveen stated, "We have walked together during the opposition period and have seen difficult times. The party's decision to award tickets to four women from our household is a token of appreciation for our service and sincerity."
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Expressing gratitude to the PML-N leadership for the unexpected yet welcome opportunity, Sidra emphasised that the party's decision was not a reward to a family but based on merit and eligibility. Jawahar highlighted her longstanding contributions to the Women's Wing and Lawyers Wing of the PML-N.
She pointed out that her family consists of an income tax lawyer, a senior lawyer (her mother), and two other practicing lawyers (her sisters). Regarding the election campaign, Jawahar stated, "The PML-N has garnered popularity in Karachi.
Under Nawaz Sharif's era, peace and order improved, and the PML-N government promises further development. I am committed to living up to the trust placed in me by the party leadership. A good and successful lawyer is also a good politician, according to Jawahar." Arjumand believes that serving the people in politics is an ideal platform, and they have received party nominations based on their merits.
She emphasised that if chosen by the constituents, their priorities would include controlling inflation and raising educational standards.
As many as 38 PML-N candidates are vying for seats in the Sindh Assembly, while the party has also nominated its candidates for 18 out of the 22 National Assembly seats in Karachi, five of which are women.