Sultanat Bibi has emerged as the sole woman candidate for a provincial assembly seat, PK-21, in the Bajaur tribal district. The 25-year-old aspiring politician expressed her commitment to championing women’s rights and empowerment in a region marked by male dominance.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Sultanat Bibi highlighted the challenges faced by women in Bajaur, where societal restrictions often limit their access to essential services and public spaces. Undeterred by the hurdles, she declared her candidacy with a vision to secure improved health, education, and job opportunities for local women.
“I want to be the voice of the voiceless community, advocating for the rights declared in Islam and the country’s Constitution,” said Sultanat Bibi, who had previously served as a councillor in the 2021 local body elections.
She underscored the prevalent issue of denying women their right to inheritance in Bajaur and vowed to address it forcefully once elected as a Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA). Sultanat Bibi, currently pursuing her masters, pledged to establish two postgraduate colleges for girls in the district if she wins the seat.
Addressing the critical lack of female medical professionals in the region, Sultanat Bibi promised to ensure the presence of at least four specialist lady doctors at the District Headquarters Hospital and one at every government health facility in the district.
Confident about her candidacy, Sultanat Bibi emphasized her dedication to launching a robust election campaign in the coming days. She expressed optimism that the women in her constituency would rally behind her in the upcoming elections on February 8.
While she initially sought to contest on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket, Sultanat Bibi declared her willingness to run as an independent candidate if not granted the PTI endorsement. In a notable precedent, the 2018 general elections saw another woman candidate, Badam Zari, contesting independently and securing around 800 votes for the National Assembly seat. Sultanat Bibi’s candidacy now stands as a bold continuation of the movement for women’s participation and empowerment in the Bajaur tribal district.
