T-Diaries: Hina Butt

A glimpse into the world of Pakistani powerhouses.

How has Pakistan changed over the past years?

Pakistan has gone through a lot in the past few years. I understand that the difference in opinion is the beauty of democracy but I think the current situation demands that we put aside these differences for the time being and move towards securing Pakistan’s future first.

The Superwoman Syndrome is the desire to do everything perfectly, without any time to yourself. What do to have to say about that?

To be perfectly honest, the Superwomen Syndrome has always worked for me. I think constantly striving to accomplish everything possible in a perfect manner makes you super professional as a working woman. It’s true that that you end up ignoring yourself but for me, nothing is worse than not being ‘perfect’ in everything you do.

How does it feel to be a Member of the Punjab Assembly?

It’s a great feeling! I truly feel blessed to be in a position where I can make a difference to society and contribute meaningfully.

What sparked your interest in politics?

I wanted to study business and become an entrepreneur. I was always interested in fashion and also wanted to do something for my country. So you could say I did all the things I wanted to in life.

What do you have to say about the current political scene in Pakistan? How has it changed over the years?

I’m think that our country, even after much struggle, is on the right path and we are facing all the challenges one by one. I hope that the democracy continues to flourish even more in the decades to come.

What do you have to say about the current status of women in Pakistan and what can be done to change that?

The current status of women, especially women residing in the rural areas is unfortunately poor. We are not only working towards educating young girls but also towards providing trainings, grass root level micro loans and business opportunities for underprivileged women. While we are working on bringing in more investment and setting up more industries in the country, which will create more employment opportunities, I also strongly believe that the best way to make people financially independent is encouraging them to start their own businesses.

Where do you see Pakistan in the next 5 to 10 years?

I feel if we keep the democratic alive and allow current and future governments full five years in office then some of the biggest problems of country like terrorism, energy, poverty, education, unemployment and law will improve. You can’t put a timeline on it but realistically speaking we need 10-15 years to be able to show solid results.

You also run your own clothing line called Teena. How did your interest in fashion come into being?

After I completed my MBA from LUMS, I had two options: either join my family’s business or start one of my own. My interest in politics was akin to my interest in entrepreneurship and I always encouraged people to start their own ventures. Also adding to that, people always admired my fashion sense and often consulted me for their wardrobe. That is when I decided to start my own fashion house, with my label Teena November 2010.

Any advice for women looking for a career in the field of politics?

I have learnt fist-hand that politics is the most challenging form of public service one can ever come across so be prepared!

Hina Butt

Member of Punjab Assembly 

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, July 13^th, 2014.