Women in Pakistani politics
Their representation remained low in the first and second Constituent Assemblies, however the amendments to the Constitution of Pakistan paved way for their increased participation in the parliament.
They have a liberty to exercise their right to vote in all elections, general or by-polls, which they could since independence and were reprised in the 1956 constitution.
The successive governments in Pakistan, and the parliamentarians have contributed to ensure women's significant representation in the legislative bodies.
[5] While, 168 seats for the provincial assemblies i.e. Balochistan (11), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (26), Punjab (66) and Sindh (29) under Article 106 of the Constitution.
[6] Similarly, the Elections Act, 2017 directed the political parties to ensure at least five per cent representation of women candidates when fielding candidates for general seats, which is a progressive development to encourage representation of women in legislative bodies.
However, it is around 19 percent in current legislative assemblies, and no woman has representation in the cabinets of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Another woman member, Mrs. Najma Andrews, was elected on a reserved seat for minorities after the death of her husband R.M.
[21] The 6th National Assembly did function from 28 March 1977 to 5 July 1977, but ultimately it had to dissolve owing to the political movement against the PPP government on the allegation of rigging in elections.
Six (6) women politicians were elected on general seats for the 11th National Assembly and served as MNAs for the term from 1997 to 1999.
They include; Mehnaz Akber Aziz, Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, Zartaj Gul, Dr. Nafisa Shah, Shazia Marri, Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Shams un Nisa, and Zubaida Jalal Khan.
[43] Dr. Shireen M. Mazari is heading the Ministry of Human Rights, Zubaida Jalal is serving as Federal Minister for Defence Production, Dr. Fehmida Mirza is heading the Inter-Provincial Coordination Division, whereas Zartaj Gul is serving as the Minister of State for Climate Change.
[44] There are thirty-six (36) parliamentary secretaries who are serving at different ministries and divisions of the government of Pakistan, out of which fourteen (14) positions are held by women.
[45] The women MNAs with their portfolios are: Rukhsana Naveed for Climate Change, Rubina Jamil for Defence Production, Wajiha Akram for Federal Education & Professional Training, Andleeb Abbas for Foreign Affairs, Tashfeen Safdar for Housing & Works, Syma Nadeem for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Sobia Kamal Khan for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Maleeka Ali Bukhari for Law and Justice, Dr. Nausheen Hamid for National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, Ghazala Saifi for National History and Literary Heritage Division, Javaria Zafar Aheer for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Kanwal Shauzab for Planning, Development and Reform, Shunila Ruth for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and Aliya Hamza Malik for Textile, Commerce, Industries & Production and Board of Investment.
The women Senators with their portfolios are: Sitara Ayaz for Climate Change, Rahila Magsi for Federal Education, Professional Training, National History & Literary Heritage, Rubina Khalid for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Khushbakht Shujat for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, Nuzhat Sadiq for Maritime Affairs, and Sassui Palijo for Parliamentary Affairs.
[61] Dr. Nafisa Shah hailing from Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians was the first Secretary of Women's Parliamentary Caucus.
[62] In 2013, after the change in the federal government, MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik from Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz became the Secretary of Women's Parliamentary Caucus.
[63] Following the 2018 general elections, MNA Munaza Hasan from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf became the third Secretary of the caucus.
In the Upper House, women sponsored 13% parliamentary business individually and 2% jointly with their male counterparts.
The current level of women’s representation in the national and provincial legislatures of Pakistan is amongst the top in the region.
[66] Women Parliamentarians moved 39 out of 74 private members' bills, 27 out of 100 resolutions, 51 out of 108 Calling Attention Notices, and 561 out of 1772 questions in both Houses of the Parliament in an attempt to improve livelihood of the masses.
They are largely ignored in decision-making process within their political parties and during the proceedings of the legislative assemblies for lack of their own electorate or constituency like the male counterparts.
