ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE PARLIAMENTARY POLITICS OF PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF THE 15TH NATION ALASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

Department of History & Pakistan Studies

By: UME RAQIA

Supervised By: Dr. Mushtaque Ali Abbasi

Academic Level: MPhil

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Abstract

The political phenomena of Pakistan are very complex and related to gender equality. Traditionalists’ approach remained unfavorable for women to be empowered; instead, they threatened women to play a role in the socioeconomic and political development of the country. For the true essence of democracy and to eliminate gender discrimination, women’s role in politics is necessary. In Pakistan’s political history, the government outlawed gender discrimination through Article 25 of the 1973 constitution. Besides, new avenues for women in the civil services, sports, culture, and the media were also opened. However, before that, their participation in politics was relatively low. Gender quotas were introduced in the legislative institutions under the 1973 constitution and were further increased during the Musharraf regime. Despite a constitutional right in politics, women are still far behind in the political mechanism of Pakistan in comparison with their gender counterparts.

This research highlights women’s participation and role in Pakistan’s Parliamentary politics. It also investigates and analyzes the role of female Parliamentarians, especially in the 15th National Assembly of Pakistan, concerning how women Parliamentarians contributed to the legislative process and what challenges they faced. The research highlights the impact, scope, and nature of legislation rendered by women in the 15th National Assembly of Pakistan. The research focuses on a qualitative approach with historical, analytical, and descriptive methods. During the study, both primary and secondary data were consulted. Along with existing secondary data, official records including Election Commission of Pakistan official record, National Assembly Debates of the prescribed time, Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary
Services (PIPS) reports, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) surveys and reports, Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) record, Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) reports and Interviews related to study, are also consulted to analyze the content.

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On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.