Determined: Parties sign agreement over women’s right to vote in Upper Dir

Vow to encourage women to exercise their fundamental right in LG polls

UPPER DIR: Five of the province’s primary political parties have vowed to support women’s suffrage and signed an agreement to that effect in Upper Dir on Thursday.

The pact was inked at a meeting arranged by NGO Friedrich Naumann Foundation at a hotel.

Awami National Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, the two frontline participants in the “men only” PK-95, Lower Dir-II by-polls, also vowed to uphold women’s right to vote and encourage them to participate in the local government electioneering.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party were represented by local leaders.

Talking on the occasion, PTI Malakand Coordinator Hamida Shahid rubbished theories that women have never voted in Dir. “Women turned up in great numbers at polling stations during the 1970 general elections but later regressive circles deprived them of their rights,” said Shahid.



JI MNA Sahibzada Tariqullah and ANP leader Riaz Anjum also addressed the gathering. Dir LG general councillor candidate Saeeda and Sheringal candidate Sahira were also present.

Only 10 polling stations for women have been planned for Upper Dir.

Speakers voiced concerns and urged the commission to ensure more separate polling stations for women so they are can exercise their right to vote.

Lower Dir

The long-standing controversy was fuelled during the aforementioned by-polls when reportedly women were barred from voting. Fingers were pointed towards ANP and JI, the main parties in the fray – both denied any involvement.

An estimated 48,000 women were denied the right to vote during the by-polls held for the seat vacated by JI chief Sirajul Haq following his elevation to the Upper House.

Just on paper

A similar agreement was penned by nine political parties in Peshawar on May 9. They vowed to uphold women’s suffrage across the province.

The accord read if any party is found denying women from voting, they will face a lawsuit in Peshawar High Court.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2015.