Bartering suffrage : Jirga mounts pressure on Wazira Bibi to retract women’s vote case

Offers her sheep, Rs0.2 million to entice her to rescind her petition

DI KHAN: A jirga in DI Khan has once again threatened Wazira Bibi, a resident of Kari Shah Muzai, Paroha tehsil, who filed a case against the disenfranchisement of women in the region.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Advocate Matiullah, her lawyer, said the jirga has offered to give two sheep and Rs0.2 million to Wazira Bibi if she takes back the case. She had filed a case in the DI Khan bench of the Peshawar High Court on behalf of women who were barred from voting in local government elections.

“The jirga has once again threatened to expel her from her village if she does not take the case back,” he said. According to Matiullah, Wazira Bibi’s house was attacked by unidentified men earlier this week.

“Wazira Bibi is under constant threat,” he said. “Unfortunately, there is no one to take notice of the matter.” He added, “Even Chowdhwan police station – where she has lodged a complaint about the threats – is not taking action to address the matter.”

Matiullah said Wazira Bibi wants to rescind her petition owing to constant threats and pressure from her community. “She has submitted a written application with the police and has demanded protection from them,” he added.

Under investigation

During a media briefing, Chowdhwan SHO said they had received Wazira Bibi’s application and are investigating her case.

“However, we will complete investigation once Muharram is over,” he said. According to unconfirmed reports, councillors elected during the local bodies’ elections are also pressurising Wazira Bibi.

Daraban and Paroha are two of five tehsils in DI Khan where tehsil governments have not been formed following reports of alleged rigging. A large number of cases have been filed by women from these areas. Most of these petitions are still pending in the high court.

Rewind

Wazira Bibi, along with Zarina Bibi of Landa Sharif, had demanded the results of the local government elections in the tehsil be declared null and void, and a re-election be conducted. The DI Khan bench of PHC suspended the results of the LG polls of Kari Shah Muzai and Landa Sharif in light of the petitions filed.

The court took the decision as women in both areas were reportedly not allowed to vote. It also issued a notice to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the district returning officer and other officials.

However, Wazira Bibi’s decision to take the matter to court has brought her in the line of fire.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2015.