Despite gains, polling observers say women’s participation in Pakistan electoral process remains ‘insignificant’

A woman supporter of Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's former Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) party, cheers during an election campaign rally in Hafizabad of Punjab province on January 18, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 18 January 2024
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Despite gains, polling observers say women’s participation in Pakistan electoral process remains ‘insignificant’

  • 2017 reforms to electoral laws made it mandatory for political parties to allot five percent tickets to women
  • Observers say despite more women in government, there is “long way” to go to achieve gender equality in parliament

ISLAMABAD: Major political parties in Pakistan have fielded women candidates for national and provincial assembly seats in fulfillment of election laws but observers said this week female participation in upcoming polls would be “insignificant” for a country where almost half the population comprises women.

Reforms to Pakistan’s electoral laws in 2017 made it mandatory for political parties to allot five percent of their tickets to women candidates. Under Pakistan’s constitution, women are guaranteed seats through a quota system in the national parliament and regional assemblies in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

However, traditional gender roles and cultural norms often restrict women’s participation in politics and other spheres of public life in Pakistan. 

“The data collected so far shows political parties have apparently abided by the requirement of the election law to award five percent tickets to women on general seats,” Rukhsana Shama, the team lead at the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability, a spin-off of the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) body, told Arab News.

“But this is not enough if we want to see an inclusive democracy in our country.”




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Ahead of general elections on Feb. 8, former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has awarded National Assembly tickets to 21 women candidates. However, it has become difficult to collect data on exactly how many women candidates have been issued PTI party tickets after Pakistan’s top court last week stripped the PTI of its unified election symbol of a cricket bat, meaning the candidates of the party will now contest the polls as independents, each with a different election symbol.

The other major parties in Pakistan have also awarded seats to women in fulfillment of legal requirements. 

The Pakistan Peoples Party awarded 23 party tickets to women candidates, 10 on National Assembly seats and 13 on provincial assembly seats, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has issued 16 party tickets to women candidates, 12 for National Assembly seats and four for provincial assembly constituencies.

Pakistan’s religious parties, the Jamiat Ulama-e-Pakistan Fazl (JUI-F), has awarded two tickets to women for National Assembly seats and nine for the provincial assembly seats, while the Jamat-e-Islami has awarded 10 tickets to women contestants for National Assembly seats and 19 for provincial assembly seats, according to data collected by FAFEN.

Shama said parties allocated tickets to women to “fulfil the legal requirement but their actual participation in the electoral process is still insignificant.”

She observed that political parties usually fielded women candidates from constituencies where they considered their position to be weak and did not expect to win, or where they did not have a “winning male candidate,” Shama said. 

“We need effective participation of women in the electoral process instead of just fulfilling a legal requirement as they are half of the country’s population,” Shama stressed.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) think tank, said the allocation of tickets to women and their participation in electoral politics was “evolving” with time but there was a “long way” to go to achieve gender equality in parliament.

“We have seen women lawmakers performing better than their male colleagues in parliament in terms of quality debates, legislation, and highlighting issues of public importance,” he told Arab News.

“If the elections are held on time and democracy flourishes in Pakistan, then obviously women’s participation will increase with the public pressure on political parties.” 


Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers

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Pakistan begins providing licenses to VPN service providers

  • Pakistan last year cracked down on VPN use to allegedly deter militants, others from spreading illegal content online
  • Pakistan’s telecom authority grants licenses to two VPN companies, says move will ensure data security and privacy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s telecommunication authority this week announced it has started granting licenses to virtual private network (VPN) service providers, saying the move would enable businesses to utilize their services for “lawful purposes” and ensure data security. 

Pakistan’s government last year cracked down on the use of VPNs, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) asking businesses, freelancers and information technology (IT) companies to register their VPNs to ensure compliance with government regulations. It had warned that unregistered VPNs would be blocked. 

The government says its measures are meant to deter militants and other suspects who use VPNs to conceal their identities and spread “anti-state propaganda” and promote “blasphemous” or other illegal content online. Digital rights activists, however, say the government’s move against VPNs is an attempt to block vital tools that allow users to bypass restrictions in its bid to stifle criticism online. 

“The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has initiated the licensing of Virtual Private Network (VPN) service providers under the Class License for the provision of data services in Pakistan,” the PTA said in a statement on Monday. 

The authority said it has approved the applications of two companies and granted them licenses to provide VPN services in the country. 

“This initiative enables businesses to utilize VPNs for lawful purposes, ensuring data security, privacy, and regulatory compliance while promoting transparency,” the PTA said. 

It encouraged VPN service providers to apply online for the Class License on the authority’s official website. 

Pakistan saw a sharp rise in the use of VPNs last year when the government banned social media platform X after allegations of rigging in general elections surfaced in February 2024. Pakistan’s election commission and the caretaker government that organized the polls reject the allegations. 

Rights activists say the government’s measures to regulate the use of VPNs are part of a wave of digital crackdowns, including its move to implement a nationwide firewall last year. 

The government said the firewall intended to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow it to identify IP addresses associated with what the government described as “anti-state propaganda” and terror attacks.

The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the country’s top representative body for the IT sector, warned in November 2024 that Internet slowdowns and the restriction of VPN services could lead to financial losses and closures, and increase operational costs for the industry by up to $150 million annually.


Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2

Updated 25 February 2025
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Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2

  • In Pakistan, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting moon for new Islamic months
  • Pakistan’s space agency says moon likely to be invisible to the naked eye on Feb. 28

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national space agency has forecast that the Ramadan moon will be invisible to the naked eye on Feb. 28, state-run media reported, meaning that the South Asian country will mark the beginning of the holy Islamic month from Mar. 2. 
In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting the moon for new Islamic months. Dates for Ramadan and Eid festivals are confirmed by the committee through visual observations and based on testimonies received of the crescent being sighted from several parts of the country. 
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has forecast that due to its low altitude and distance, the crescent will be difficult to sight on Feb. 28. According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), SUPARCO said the angular distance between the sun and the moon will be 7 degrees on Feb. 28, making the crescent “invisible to the naked eye” that day.
“Based on these observations, the holy month of Ramadan in Pakistan is expected to begin on March 2, 2025,” APP reported on Monday. The report also said that as per SUPARCO’s forecast, the Shawwal moon will be sighted on Mar. 30 in Pakistan, with Eid-ul-Fitr expected to be on Mar. 31.
However, the Pakistani space agency said the crescent may be visible in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 28, making Ramadan likely to start there on Mar. 1, 2025. 
“The final decision on moon sighting rests with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee,” APP quoted SUPARCO as saying. 
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, where Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual activities from sunrise to sunset. This is followed by the sighting of the new moon and is marked by Eid-ul-Fitr, a religious holiday and celebration that is observed by Muslims across the world.


‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

Updated 25 February 2025
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‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

  • Pakistan was plagued with injuries to destructive openers Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub 
  • Cricket analysts say Pakistan played cautious and outdated cricket in tournament 

KARACHI: Title-holders and hosts Pakistan crashed out in the group phase of the Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand and arch-rivals India.
They still have a match to play, against Bangladesh on Thursday, but their tournament is over — a disappointing end to their first hosting of a major international cricket event in three decades.
AFP Sport looks at where it all went wrong for Mohammad Rizwan’s men in the 50-over tournament:

- Uncertain build-up -
Rizwan was appointed white-ball skipper in October last year and led Pakistan to an impressive 2-1 ODI win over world champions Australia — their first series victory in 22 years in the country.
They also won in Zimbabwe and inflicted on South Africa their first home whitewash, with a 3-0 scoreline.
But fast-rising opener Saim Ayub injured his ankle during a subsequent Test in South Africa.
Pakistan delayed the announcement of their Champions Trophy squad until the deadline to wait on Ayub’s fitness but the left-hander failed to recover.
To add to the home team’s woes, fellow opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after the first match — a 60-run defeat to New Zealand — with a muscle injury.
Pakistan’s much-vaunted pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf — rested from the Test series to keep them fresh — looked rusty and failed to control the death overs.

- Poor squad selection -
Pakistan selectors resisted calls from former players and pundits to include a second spinner in the 15-man squad and instead chose only one in Abrar Ahmed.
They relied on part-time spinners Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah, who have managed just one wicket between them in two matches.
Pakistan also erred by not selecting a regular opener and took the risky step of promoting out-of-form Babar Azam to partner Zaman.
When Zaman was ruled out they brought in Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement. He made just 10 as Pakistan were crushed by title favorites India by six wickets.
In a surprise move they included in the squad all-rounders Khushdil and Faheem Ashraf on the basis of their performances in Bangladesh’s Twenty20 league.
Ashraf had not played an ODI for two years and Khushdil for three.
Former Pakistan captain and television pundit Rashid Latif called it a “political selection,” blaming outside influence

- Old-style cricket -
Former Pakistan captain and popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi accused Pakistan of playing outdated cricket.
“In 2025 Pakistan was playing the cricket style of the 1980s and 1990s while other teams had progressed well to adopt an aggressive and modern style,” he told AFP.
“The ailment of playing too many dot balls also hurt our game.”
Pakistan played 152 dot balls against India in scoring 241 in 49.4 overs, including a record 28 balls with no scores in the first six overs.
Their total of 260 in 47.2 overs in the defeat to New Zealand had 162 dot balls.
“The mindset of Pakistan players does not match with modern-day cricket,” said Afridi.
“We need a complete overhaul of the system so that we can produce players with an aggressive mindset.”


Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy

Updated 25 February 2025
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Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy

  • UN Security Council holds key session on three-year anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict
  • Pakistan abstains from voting on two competing UNGA resolutions on conflict’s third anniversary

ISLAMABAD: On the three-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict this week, Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations urged international powers to resolve the crisis through constructive and “inclusive” diplomacy, pointing out the dangers of further military escalation for the region. 

Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago on Feb. 24, 2022, amid protests from Western governments and peace activists worldwide. Thousands have been killed on both sides since the conflict began and rages on, with Washington and other powers calling for an end to the fighting that has dealt setbacks to the global economy and developing countries. 

The UN General Assembly adopted two competing resolutions on the third anniversary of the conflict on Monday, with Pakistan abstaining from voting on both of them. One of the resolutions, backed by the European Union and Ukraine, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, and called for a quick end to hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the war. 

“We believe that the conflict in Ukraine could have been averted through dialogue and diplomacy,” Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s alternate permanent representative to the UN, said at a meeting of the Security Council on Monday. “It must be brought to an end now through constructive and inclusive diplomacy.”

He pointed out that the conflict in Ukraine has caused immense loss of life, widespread devastation and human suffering, adding that its consequences transcend borders and impact the region and beyond.

Ahmad said it was unfortunate how the pursuit of peace remains “largely absent and elusive” in this day and age. 

“That is despite the fact that the vast majority of the member states including the developing world have constantly desired and advocated for a peaceful settlement of this conflict thought dialogue and diplomacy,” Ahmad said. 

The ambassador called on international powers to “redouble” their efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis in accordance with the principles of the UN charter. 

“The pursuit of peace is a collective responsibility that must transcend geopolitical divide,” Ahmad said. “We hope that Council will shoulder its responsibility and unite behind this objective.”

Since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, the balance of power at the United Nations has been clear: the General Assembly, representing all members, has clearly and overwhelmingly supported Ukrainian sovereignty, while the 15-member Security Council has been paralyzed by Russia’s veto power.

Pakistan has moved closer to Russia in recent months, signing trade and investment agreements with Moscow as it seeks to escape a prolonged economic crisis. Islamabad has not criticized Moscow for invading the eastern European country and has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. 


Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO

Updated 25 February 2025
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Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO

  • Pakistan suffered total $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, global web monitor says
  • Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim urges government to address issue, citing role of IT-enabled infrastructure in propelling businesses in Pakistan

KARACHI: The blockade of social media platforms and intermittent Internet shutdowns in Pakistan were causing losses running into “hundreds of millions of dollars” to the telecommunications sector and others that relied on online connectivity to run businesses, the CEO of Pakistan’s largest telecom company said this month. 

Pakistan suffered a total $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, according to a report by global Internet monitor Top10VPN.com, surpassing losses in war-torn countries like Sudan and Myanmar. The report, released on Jan. 2, said Pakistan experienced 9,735 hours of Internet disruptions that affected 82.9 million users last year, with elections and protests cited as the primary causes.

In an interview with Arab News, Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital service provider with around 71 million subscribers, said telecommunications had developed into a cross-sector enabler, so when Internet services were interrupted, it was not telcos alone that lost revenue.

“About 70% of the revenue that we generate comes from Internet or data services, so, there is a consequential revenue impact for us as telcos [telecommunication companies] but the real damage actually comes in terms of customer convenience,” Ibrahim told Arab News when asked about the effect of Internet closures.

“So it’s not just that the telcos lose revenue, it’s every other business that relies on the Internet, whether it’s freelancers, whether it is Careem or cab-hailing [services], or whether it is somebody like FoodPanda, or mobile banking, all of them rely on the Internet to be able to offer services to their customers.

“That is the real cost to the economy and that runs in hundreds of millions of dollars with all these Internet shutdowns.”

Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s largest telecom company, speaks during an interview with Arab News in Karachi on February 14, 2025. (AN photo)

Pakistan, a country of over 240 million, has witnessed up to 40% drop in Internet speeds in the last few months, according to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP). The speed drop comes amid what activities and opposition parties widely describe as a state-led digital crackdown that has included a ban on X, the imposition of a national firewall and attempts to restrict VPN use. 

The government denies any of the moves are aimed at censorship but rather at protecting national interests and going after terrorists and others who spread misinformation or incite violence online. 

Ibrahim acknowledged that the government had to maintain “a hard balancing act.”

“We have to be cognizant of the fact that there is a lot of fake information, a lot of fake news, things that can be detrimental to the interests of the country and even consumers and citizens and for that, you need a policy framework,” the Jazz CEO said. 

He urged the government to come up with a “mechanism” to tackle “deliberate vilification or other institution-damaging narratives” spread online. 

“So from a digital operator company perspective, we certainly advocate unrestricted Internet but the government has to actually balance it with the security concerns and concerns where information can become detrimental to national causes.”