In election manifestos, Pakistani religious parties push for women’s empowerment, right to inheritance

Muslim women walk along a road in Lahore, Pakistan, on June 18, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 01 February 2024
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In election manifestos, Pakistani religious parties push for women’s empowerment, right to inheritance

  • Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan collectively secured 4.7 million votes in 2018 polls 
  • Analysts say the JUI and TLP have targeted the religious vote bank, while Jamaat-e-Islami offered a ‘solution-based’ manifesto 

KARACHI: Pakistan’s three major religious parties have promised to ensure women’s empowerment and their right to inheritance in their election manifestos, with analysts noting that at least one of them offered solutions to women’s issues in Pakistan. 

With less than a week left before millions of Pakistanis head to ballot boxes to elect their representatives for the next five years on Feb. 8, nearly all political parties have unveiled their manifestos and pledged to improve lives of people through various measures and initiatives. 

The three religious parties, including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), have assured of safeguarding women’s rights and ensuring equal employment opportunities for them among other things in their election manifestos. 

In the 2018 general elections, the JUI secured nine seats, followed by the JI with three seats, and although the TLP could not win any parliamentary seat, it garnered 2.2 million votes nationwide. Collectively, the three parties amassed 4.7 million votes. 

In the past, the JUI and JI, which were affiliated with the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) alliance, formed coalition governments in the center and in Balochistan after the 2002 elections, while the alliance governed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The JI has been a part of the PTI-led government in KP from 2013 till 2018, while the JUI has also joined other ruling coalitions in the past. 

But despite limited successes, these parties have managed to impact electoral outcomes and underscored their significance in Pakistan’s politics. The JUI was instrumental in bringing a no-trust vote against former prime minister Imran Khan in April 2022 and the subsequent formation of a coalition government by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance. 

In its election manifesto, the JI said those denying women their share in property and wealth would not be allowed to participate in elections if it came to power. 

“Immediate steps will be taken to give women the share of property from her father or husband’s property according to Shariah,” the JI manifesto read. 

In many parts of Pakistan, women are often denied a share in property and wealth, despite Pakistan’s constitution and Shariah, the Islamic law, guaranteeing them. 

The Pakistani government has considered various legislative measures to provide women with a share of property so that they might not have to fight for it in courts. 

In 2021, the government introduced the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act that aimed to ensure the protection of women’s inheritance right by the state. The legislation, adopted by all Pakistani provinces, allows women to file complaints with an ombudsperson to have their property right issues resolved swiftly. 

However, many women have still not been able to exercise these rights due to a lack of strict implementation of laws. 

The JI in its manifesto promised to end the tradition of dowry, killing of women in the name of “honor” and take steps to financially empower them. 

“Steps will be taken to provide the working women a safe environment. Age relaxation will be given to a widow and divorced woman for government jobs,” it read. 

“Laws will be made to encourage small industries. Women will be helped become financially strong by making them skillful.” 

In its election manifesto, the JUI said it would take “practical steps” for the safety of women and provide them with equal education and employment opportunities. 

The TLP manifesto said the party would establish a “special institution” for the protection of women’s rights and provide them their “legal and Shariah rights.” 

While these parties touched upon different issues, analysts believed the JI had offered a “solution-based” manifesto, while the JUI and the TLP had been more focused on their religious vote. 

“The manifestos of two other religious parties (the JUI and the TLP) are basically meant to attract the religious vote bank,” said Ajmal Jami, a Lahore-based television host and analyst. 

He said the TLP’s manifesto was straight-forward, focusing primarily on a singular theme. 

“They are not asking the state for certain measures other than the basic resolve that is about the last Prophet [Muhammad} and the importance of their belief,” Jami told Arab News. 

Since its inception in 2015, the TLP has extensively campaigned in favor of the finality of Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), which forms the bases of its ideology. 

“Other than this very basic point, there’s nothing concrete, they are trying to also address the importance of free electricity, but they are unable to tell us that how they would do that,” Jami said. 

The analyst called the JUI’s manifesto “concerning.” 

“The JUI’s manifesto is concerning, it is a very hardcore manifesto. And perhaps this is how the JUI’s religious politics can be discussed,” he said, adding the Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman led party believed that “none other than a Muslim belonging to their sect” should be up there at important posts, such as the prime minister or the president. 

“They have categorically written it in their manifesto about this very point,” he said. “And this might be and should be a problem or a matter of pain for minorities to equal Pakistanis.” 

Muhammad Sami, a JUI spokesperson, said his party fully supported religious freedom of minorities and it was stressed in the manifesto as well. 

“Our manifesto also advocates for the complete separation of the judiciary from administration and calls for changes in the law to align with Shariah principles,” Sami said. 

“Additionally, it advocates for freedom of the press, provincial autonomy, tax exemption for essential food items, equalization of daily wages to the value of one tola (12 grams) of gold, free education, and free health care.” 

It was also aimed at ending the control of a “few individuals” over the economy, confiscating wealth acquired through illegal means, and introducing an Islamic economic system, he added. 

Wakil-ur-Rehman, a Karachi-based analyst with a focus on religious groups, agreed with Jami and said the JUI and TLP’s voters fully subscribed to what these parties were selling to them in their manifestos. 

“The TLP was fifth largest vote-taker in 2018... it got these votes due to its hard-line stance on cartoons and other sacrilegious content [published internationally],” Rehman said. “Similarly, the language and slogans used by the JUI are bought by its targeted voters.” 

He, however, hailed both parties for addressing the women’s issues. 


Pakistan shares range bound amid uncertainty over budget announcement

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Pakistan shares range bound amid uncertainty over budget announcement

  • Index recorded intraday high of 970 points and low of 51 points, eventually closing at 122,024, gaining 383 points or 0.32 percent
  • Pakistan will unveil annual federal budget, seeking to kickstart growth while finding resources for hike in defense expenditure 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Market witnessed a range-bound session today, Tuesday, with the index fluctuating within a narrow band amid uncertainty surrounding the budget announcement. 

Pakistan will unveil its annual federal budget for the coming fiscal year on Tuesday evening, seeking to kickstart growth while finding resources for an expected hike in defense expenditure following a military conflict with India last month, the worst between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. 

Islamabad will also have to contend with remaining within the discipline of its International Monetary Fund program and the uncertainty from new trade tariffs being imposed by the United States, its biggest export market.

“The index recorded an intraday high of 970 points and a low of 51 points, eventually closing at 122,024 — gaining 383 points or 0.32 percent,” brokerage house Topline Securities said in its daily market review. 

“Market participation remained healthy, with total traded volume reaching 591 million shares and a traded value of PKR 21 billion.”

Media reports say the government is likely to present a 17.6 trillion rupee ($62.45 billion) budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, down 6.7 percent from this fiscal year. It has projected a fiscal deficit of 4.8 percent of GDP, against a targeted 5.9 percent deficit in 2024-25, the reports say.

Analysts said they expect an increase of around 20 percent in the defense budget, likely offset by cuts in development spending.

Pakistan allocated 2.1 trillion Pakistani rupees($7.45 billion) for defense in the outgoing fiscal year, including $2 billion for equipment and other assets. An additional 563 billion rupees ($1.99 billion) was set aside for military pensions, which are not counted within the official defense budget.

The government of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has projected 4.2 percent economic growth in 2025-26, saying it has steadied the economy, which had looked at risk of defaulting on its debts as recently as 2023. Growth this fiscal year is likely to be 2.7 percent, against an initial target of 3.6 percent set in the budget last year.

Pakistan’s growth lags far behind the region. In 2024, South Asian countries grew by an average of 5.8 percent and 6.0 percent growth is expected in 2025, according to the Asian Development Bank.

With inputs from Reuters


Pakistan deports over 216,000 illegal migrants since April under ongoing repatriation drive

Updated 16 min 40 sec ago
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Pakistan deports over 216,000 illegal migrants since April under ongoing repatriation drive

  • The drive against illegal foreigners was launched in November 2023 amid a surge in militancy
  • The country has repatriated a total of 1,102,441 illegal foreigners since the deportations began

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has deported over 216,000 undocumented foreign nationals since April this year as part of a nationwide campaign targeting illegal migrants, mostly Afghan citizens, the country’s interior ministry said on Tuesday.

The repatriation drive, which began in November 2023, was launched in the wake of a spike in suicide bombings and militant activity that Pakistani officials linked to Afghan nationals, though no public evidence was provided to support the claim.

“Since April 1, 2025, a total of 216,103 illegal foreigners have been repatriated and the campaign is ongoing,” the ministry said in its statement.

“Since October 2023, a total of 1,102,441 illegal foreigners have been repatriated under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program,” it added.

Initially, authorities had said the crackdown would focus on those lacking any legal documentation. However, in early 2025, the government expanded the scope to Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, ordering them to leave by March 31 or face deportation starting April 1.

The interior ministry said food and health care arrangements had been made for those in the repatriation process, and that women, children and the elderly are being treated “with dignity and respect.”

It warned that anyone aiding undocumented foreigners with employment or accommodation would also face legal action.

Pakistan has hosted more than 2.8 million Afghan refugees over the past four decades due to prolonged conflict in Afghanistan.

The current deportation campaign has drawn criticism from human rights groups and the Afghan Taliban, who have accused Islamabad of harassment and called for the safe and dignified return of Afghan nationals.

The Pakistani government has denied these allegations, maintaining the repatriation process is being carried out respectfully and in accordance with the law.


Pakistan tells UK lawmakers it wants Indus Waters Treaty revived amid India tensions

Updated 10 June 2025
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Pakistan tells UK lawmakers it wants Indus Waters Treaty revived amid India tensions

  • The Pakistani delegation in London says Islamabad wants ‘composite dialogue’ with New Delhi on all issues
  • It says Pakistan’s military response to the Indian actions was measured and consistent with international law

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani parliamentary delegation visiting key global capitals in the wake of last month’s military standoff with India told British lawmakers Islamabad remains committed to ensuring the revival of the Indus Waters Treaty and promoting regional peace, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. 

The outreach comes after India and Pakistan engaged in their most intense military exchange in years, sparking fears of a full-scale war under a nuclear overhang. Over four days in May, both sides exchanged missile strikes, launched drone attacks and engaged in air combat before a US-brokered ceasefire was announced by President Donald Trump on May 10.

The crisis was triggered by a militant attack that killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi blamed the assault on Pakistan-based elements, an allegation Islamabad denied, instead calling for an independent international probe. As tensions escalated, the global community moved swiftly to defuse the situation.

Before launching its military strikes, India took several punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending a decades-old, World Bank-backed water-sharing treaty between the two countries.

“The High-Level Parliamentary delegation from Pakistan, led by the Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, briefed the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pakistan during a meeting hosted by APPG Chair Yasmin Qureshi MP at Westminster Palace, which was attended by cross-party British parliamentarians,” the statement said.

“The delegation underscored Pakistan’s commitment to restraint, revival of the Indus Waters Treaty and initiation of a composite dialogue between the two countries on all outstanding issues, particularly the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”

According to the statement, Bhutto-Zardari briefed lawmakers on the consequences of what he described as India’s unprovoked aggression, including violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty in the aftermath of the attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

He rejected India’s allegations against Pakistan as baseless, saying they lacked credible investigation or verifiable evidence.

He further warned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty violated international law and could have serious implications for regional and global peace.

Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik also addressed the session, highlighting the environmental and food security risks of disrupting the treaty. 

He warned the suspension threatened the survival of Pakistan’s 240 million people, most of whom rely on agriculture. 

The delegation also emphasized Pakistan’s military response to the Indian actions was measured and consistent with international law, including the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.


Pakistan hails 2025 Hajj as ‘historic’ after winning Saudi award for best services

Updated 10 June 2025
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Pakistan hails 2025 Hajj as ‘historic’ after winning Saudi award for best services

  • Sardar Yousaf says pilgrims in the lowest payment tier received services reserved for higher-cost packages
  • He adds the government-backed Hajj package was more affordable than those offered by neighboring states

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf on Wednesday described the 2025 Hajj as “historic compared to previous years” for Pakistani pilgrims, citing improved services, enhanced facilities and formal recognition from Saudi authorities for the country’s pilgrimage management.

Addressing a post-Hajj press conference in Makkah, the minister said Pakistan’s Hajj Mission had received an Excellence Award from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, ranking first among the seven missions honored this year, in recognition of its services to over 115,000 Pakistani pilgrims.

“The 2025 Hajj was historic compared to previous years, and Pakistani pilgrims were provided exceptional services and facilities,” Yousaf said. “This award from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is a matter of pride for Pakistan.”

Saudi Arabia hosted over 88,000 government-sponsored Pakistani pilgrims this year, he said, noting that for the first time, air-conditioned tents, gypsum board partitions, sofa-cum-beds and overhead shelves were introduced in Mina.

Facilities at Arafat also included enhanced air-conditioning, shaded walkways and grassy areas.

Yousaf said pilgrims in the lowest payment category were offered services typically reserved for higher-tier packages.

He maintained the Hajj package for government-sponsored pilgrims remained more affordable than those offered in neighboring countries, while offering superior services.

In Madinah, all Pakistani pilgrims were housed in three- and five-star hotels near the Prophet’s Mosque and given the opportunity to visit Riyaz-ul-Jannah.

To improve coordination, Pakistan introduced a “Nazim Scheme” for the first time, assigning a group leader to every 188 pilgrims.

More than 400 medical professionals were also deployed to ensure health care services for pilgrims.

Yousaf appreciated the Pakistani pilgrims for their cooperation and adherence to Saudi guidelines during the pilgrimage.


Pakistan says China has offered to sell new military equipment, including J-35 fighter jets

Updated 10 June 2025
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Pakistan says China has offered to sell new military equipment, including J-35 fighter jets

  • Shares of Chinese arms companies rallied this week after the announcement
  • Pakistan and India have sought to bolster their defense capabilities after engaging in four days of conflict last month 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government this month announced that China has offered to sell it its new military equipment, including 40 of its advanced fifth-generation J-35 fighter jets and ballistic missile defense systems following Islamabad’s armed conflict with India in May. 

Nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan engaged in armed conflict for four days from May 7-10, pounding each other with artillery fire, fighter jets, drones and missiles. Fighting stopped on May 10 when US President Donald Trump announced both countries had agreed to a ceasefire. 

Pakistan said its air force downed six Indian fighter jets using Chinese J-10C aircraft on the night of May 6. On May 31, the chief of defense staff of the Indian Armed Forces, Anil Chauhan, confirmed India lost an unspecified number of fighter jets in clashes with Pakistan last month.

Both countries have since then sought to bolster their defense capabilities and procure the latest arms as tensions continue to simmer between both nations. Pakistan’s government said in a social media post on June 7 that China has also offered to sell KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, as well as HQ-19 ballistic missile defense systems to Pakistan. 

“Under Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has achieved several major diplomatic achievements including the offer of 40 fifth-generation J-35 stealth aircraft, KJ-500 AWACS, HQ-19 defense systems from China, and the deferment of $3.7 billion in debt,” the Government of Pakistan wrote on social media account X. 

 

 

As per a report in the international news publication Bloomberg on Monday, the shares of Chinese defense companies rallied this week after Pakistan’s announcement of Beijing’s offer to sell its aircraft. The report said shares of AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Company— the maker of China’s J-35 stealth fighter jet— soared by their 10 percent daily limit in Shanghai, extending gains for the third consecutive session on Monday.

The shares of another China-based company, Aerospace Nanhu Electronic Information Technology Co., soared by 15 percent, the report added. 

The shares of Chinese arms makers have surged since Pakistan said its air force downed six Indian fighter jets, using Chinese J-10C aircraft, on the night of May 6. The two countries had engaged in armed conflict that day after India struck what it called “terrorist” camps in Pakistan. 

The J-35 stealth fighter jet was developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and publicly unveiled at the 2024 Zhuhai Airshow. Its sale to Pakistan would mark China’s first export of the fifth-generation jet, which has advanced stealth capabilities for penetrating the airspace of an adversary. 

On the other hand, the KJ-500 aircraft would improve Pakistan’s radar coverage, and its smaller size allows for nimbler use in regional clashes, the report said. The HQ-19 surface-to-air missile systems would enhance the country’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles.

“In a sign of how the conflict is changing dynamics, Indonesia— which has relied on aircraft from makers in the US, Russia and elsewhere— is mulling China’s offer of J-10 jets,” Bloomberg reported. “Southeast Asia’s largest economy has bought munitions and air surveillance systems from China in the past, but not jet fighters.”

Tensions reached a boiling point when India blamed Pakistan for supporting an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. Gunmen had killed 26 Indian tourists in Pahalgam resort. New Delhi, which has always blamed Pakistan for supporting militant outfits in the part of Kashmir it governs, accused Islamabad of having a hand in the attack.

Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an international probe into the incident. 

Though the fragile ceasefire continues to hold, ties between the two countries remain strained. New Delhi and Islamabad have both sent delegations to world capitals in hopes of swaying international opinion in their favor.