Pak: 2 tribal women to participate in general polls

, Apr 1: Two tribal

candidates, each from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA), on Sunday filed their nomination papers to participate in the general

in

slated for May 11.

Badam Zari from Bajaur Agency became the first woman from the FATA region to file nomination for a National Assembly seat, NA-44. Zari said she was contesting as an independent candidate and was eyeing to serve women from her area. Tribal women were disallowed to exercise their right to cast ballots in the past.

Zari said she wanted women to prosper in all spheres and felt both men and women to stand side by side. She announced to actively campaign and raise awareness about problems that are faced by fellow-residents despite a poor law and order situation. Zari was confident about getting support of the residents of her area.

The other woman, Nusrat Begum, a resident of Lower Dir, filed nomination papers by personally appearing in the office of the returning officer. She said she was hopeful about winning the poll and if indeed her dream came true, she would try to change the condition of her district, particularly that of the women.

She said those who were elected from her area in the past did not concentrate on the locall situation. Nusrat said she had been elected as the district vice-president of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf in the intra-party polls and was hoping that she would get ticket of that party for the polls.

The nomination of the two women is a positive change in Pakistan's electoral politics. The political parties have softened their stance on the women's participation in the election process.

OneIndia News