TAUNSA SHARIF: Rashida Farhan, a resident of Taunsa Sharif, the remotest Tehsil of Southern Punjab, belonging to a middle-class family is all set to challenge the political stalwarts of the area with the aim to eliminate the age-old custom of ‘Vani’ in her area, local media reports have informed.
The educated lady, with high aims to promote education, is active in politics with husband Farhan Manzoor Bhutta in the underdeveloped area.
The young couple from a small town, having no basic amenities, is contesting from the area for seats in both the National Assembly and Provincial Assembly.
Both are contesting independently from their ‘Aam Admi Tehreek’ political party.
Rashida Farhan is contesting for the National Assembly seat (NA-189), while her husband is standing for the provincial assembly (PP-286 Punjab) one. Rashida faces opposition from major political players, including Khwaja Sheraz and Sardar Amjad Farooq Khosa, in the upcoming July elections.
In the conservative society of Taunsa and adjoining areas, people never once thought that a young lady would reach out to masses for political awakening.
As per the tradition of the area, women folk are usually discouraged to take part in active politics. But Rashida believes in equal representation for women folk in all walks of life.
Since the start of her career a few years ago, people have seen her working like one woman army, going door to door to instill a spirit of change in them.
Speaking to the media, Rashida said, “Sardars, Waderas, and Gaddi Nasheens have systematically enslaved the people of south Punjab since decades and done nothing for the welfare of the masses and uplift of infrastructure.”
Contaminated water for human consumption, lack of basic health facilities and improper education facilities continue to the plague the people of the area and have yet not been addressed even after tall-claims of ‘old faces’ of the area.
“We (the couple) have left children at parents home for the political campaign…I am optimistic to take maximum support from the area,” said a young candidate.
Rashida has no family history of politics but as a young, educated and politically motivated lady, she has a dream that one day her people will be liberated from the shackles of feudalism and “Biradri” system of voting.
Rashida’s husband, Farhan, candidate for PP-286, also has high hopes to bring positive change in his area.
“There is a need of awareness. People of our remote area have been deprived of even basic needs,” said Bhutta, mentioning that old tradition of ‘Vani’ and ‘Sawara’ can only be eliminated by creating awareness among the people.
Over the decades, Taunsa has seen Khosa Sardars and Khawaja Gaddi Nasheens taking turns in the parliament.
from Pakistan Today
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