PMLN, PPP pick loyalists’ relatives, familiar names for women reserved seats

In the midst of Pakistan's uncertain political landscape, where democracy hangs in the balance, political parties show little commitment to rectify their mistakes let alone implementing even the slightest adjustments to their cliché strategies.

As candidates hurriedly submitted nomination papers for the upcoming elections on February 8, political parties unveiled the list of nominated candidates for reserved seats on social media.

Doubts about the transparency of selection processes arose as prominent names reappeared on women's reserved seat lists, particularly for the dominant parties, where influential ties of the nominees raised questions about fair competition.

Pakistan Muslim League-N's women's reserved seat list raised eyebrows, as several names boasted connections to politically influential families, with a history of serving in national and provincial assemblies. Analysts noted a dominance of names linked to Maryam Nawaz’s faction, raising questions about missing figures like Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Maiza Hameed, Umarzadi Tiwana, Ayesha Rajab, and Samina Matloob, believed to be associated with Shehbaz Sharif’s faction.

The PMLN's priority list for reserved seats features a familiar face at the top: Tahira Aurangzeb, alongside her daughter Marriyum Aurangzeb. Both mother and daughter are seasoned political figures, having served multiple terms in parliament.

Notably, Shaista Pervaiz Malik, who previously served in the national assembly from Punjab, is the spouse of the late Pervaiz Malik, a longstanding PMLN member who served in the national assembly until his demise in 2021.

Nuzhat Sadiq has been part of parliament since 2008 and served in the Senate since 2012. The election ticket has been granted to Musarrat Asif Khawaja, the spouse of Khawaja Asif, and Shaza Khawaja who is also related to the former defence minister and is contesting the election on a reserved seat.

Wajiha Qamar, a former PTI member, has been given the ticket, having previously served as a member of parliament on reserved seats in 2013 and 2018.

Zeb Jaffar, the daughter of former politician Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal Gujjar and a relative of Zaka Ashraf, is also on the list. Seema Jillani, Romina Khurshid Alam, Wajiha Qamar, Kiran Dar, Anusha Rehman Khan, Zehra Wadood Fatemi, Asiya Naz Tanoli, Saba Sadiq, Farah Naz Ak¬bar, Shahnaz Saleem, Muneeba Iqbal, Iffat Naeem, and Tamkeen Akhtar Niazi are also mentioned.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) women also re-launched familiar names on reserved seats for women who have served multiple terms in parliament.

Shazia Marri was placed on the first number in the list for the National Assembly’s (NA) reserved seats for women.

The other candidates include Dr Nafisa Shah, Shagufta Jumani, Shehla Raza, Mehtab Akbar Rashidi, Musarrat Rafiq, Mehreen Razzaque Bhutto, Shazia Soomro, Naz Baloch, Seher Kamran, Sharmila Farooqi, and Shazia Nizamani.

According to Election Commission, province-wise, 459 papers were submitted for reserved National Assembly seats for women, with an additional 1365 forms for provincial assemblies.

Political experts and netizens criticisd political parties for encouraging nepotism in politics and nominating their preferred candidates rather than bringing new faces forward to inject fresh blood into democracy.

Shocking that the PMLN seems to be out of touch with contemporary Pakistan. This nepotism is no longer accepted by the electorate especially the large middle class that resents dynastic politics. The case of India should be a lesson for them where pol. dynasties are fading. https://t.co/nABpYGuaGM

— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) December 26, 2023

There should be no reserve seat for women in assemblies.

There should be reserved 'electoral seats' for women where parties can only give tickets to women to contest and then masses to vote and elect.

Discretion of parties to list people can never be just and fair.

— Junaid Sahi (@Junaid_Sahi) December 24, 2023

There should be no reserve seat for women in assemblies.

There should be reserved 'electoral seats' for women where parties can only give tickets to women to contest and then masses to vote and elect.

Discretion of parties to list people can never be just and fair.

— Junaid Sahi (@Junaid_Sahi) December 24, 2023

Awarding reserved seats to betiyan bhanjian bhatijian of the men in your political party and letting common women run on tickets where you know for a fact you have no chances of a victory is not the progressive feminist visual you think it is.
The public aren't idiots.

— Mehrub Awan (@mehrubawan) December 26, 2023