By Uzma Kardar
The women of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are quite an enigma. Born and raised in a patriarchal society, they are conditioned into blending in with the mindset of male folk. This not only defines the social/economic parameters of the women but also the political affiliations of the whole family.
It was then that Kaptaan appeared on the scene and brought with him a new hope – a new vision – a new future for the womenfolk, their children and their country – a New Pakistan.
And this got the women thinking. They listened with apt attention to this man who had brought the glory of the Cricket World Cup 1992 to their doorstep, a man who got inspired by his mother’s agonising illness to give this nation multiple Shaukat Khanum Hospitals where the poor get free treatment, a man who painstakingly turned the dream of Namal Knowledge City into a reality, a man who donated his own assets to build hospitals and universities for this nation.
A man who could not be bought.
And then the women decided. They will not stand idle while their motherland suffered at the hands of plunderers and sellouts. The women of Pakistan came out in throngs to strengthen the arms of Imran Khan. They had learnt to trust him through his relentless struggle for Justice and Jihad against corruption for 22 long years.
PTI women became the front line tigresses of Imran Khan and what did Imran Khan do for these women?
Imran Khan who grew up in a household with five very strong women- his mother and four sisters, knew well how to respect and acknowledge the capabilities of womenkind. He was surrounded by empowered women and this is the first change he brought about in the lives of PTI women.
He empowered them through his vision- through his training – PTI women are now battle hardened. Be it a dharna, a lockdown, a protest, an election or a membership campaign, they are the first to come out on the call of their chairman.
PTI women are involved in all key decision making bodies in the party – the only way forward for a progressive and developed nation where 52% of the population is female.
The party’s chief whip, Dr Shireen Mazari also overlooks the foreign policy matters for PTI. NA-120 is a prime example of women taking the lead in the direct elections. Throngs of PTI women activists took part in the polls all over Pakistan.
That is the change Imran Khan has brought about in the lives of Pakistani women – young and old alike. There are women like Sadiqa Sahibdad who is 85 years old still battling on all fronts with her Kaptaan for the past 20 years.
PTI lost Saloni Bokhari recently who was an icon for PTI women and devoted her whole life to the cause. Khan still remembers how she stood boldly in front of her chairman to avert the attack by JI students years back in Punjab University.
Needless to say, this is one of Imran Khan’s biggest achievements – to involve women and youth in the struggle for New Pakistan – a corruption free Pakistan – a land where the law would be the same for rich and poor alike.
PTI women have jumped into the political arena and have broken free from the bondage of status quo leaders and have decided to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their country under the guidance of a leader whom they know will not betray their trust.
PTI women are driven by conviction. Many young girls have approached this scribe personally to convince their fathers to stand tall with their wives and be counted in the dawn of a new Pakistan.
The 126-day historic dharna – unprecedented in the history of Pakistan – inspired women in every nook and cranny of Pakistan. PTI women persisted through harsh conditions and sacrificed their comfort, they came with tiny infants in their arms to demand an enquiry into a stolen mandate.
Rural women flocked to listen to the man who would secure a bright future for their children. Scores of young girls joined PTI youth wing in a quest for New Pakistan. This aspiring youth has been promised due to representation by their chairman in the general elections.
PTI women are an invincible force that has become the front face of PTI.
No other party can boast of such commitment and devotion from their womenfolk without fear or favour and this is a phenomenon all other parties should fear – the invincible force called PTI women.
The writer is an educationist, political activist and freelance writer. She can be reached at kardaruzma@gmail.com