PESHAWAR – The Returning Officer Bajaur Agency approved the nomination papers of Badam Zari, first ever female candidate in the history of tribal area for contesting the upcoming general elections on NA-44 Bajaur Agency.
A reliable source of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Bajaur Agency told the TheNation that a 40-year-old woman namely Badam Zari, wife of Sultan Khan, has filed her nomination papers for the National Assembly seat NA-44.
Asad Sarwar, Returning Officer in Bajaur Agency confirmed the submitting of nomination papers for the NA-44 by a female. “A female belongs to Utman Khail Tribe has filed her nomination papers for contesting the general election in NA-44 Bajaur 1,” he said.
Talking to journalists, Badam Zari said that she wanted positive change in the tribal system and there for she took this bold decision. “I want to work for the betterment of women in the tribal area especially in Bajaur who’s badly suffered in the current tribal system,” she added.
She said that no parliamentarian in the tribal areas had addressed the women issues and problems on the floor of assembly and have ignored their problems and issues.
She said that contesting election by her would be a great honour for the tribal women and she will use all of its efforts to mobilize women of Bajaur to cast their vote in the general election.
To a question, she said that contesting election was her right and never afraid from any one and she would start her election campaign very soon.
Meanwhile, an official of the Election Commission of Pakistan in Bajaur said that total of 70 candidates have filed their nomination papers for NA-43 and NA-44.