NEW DELHI, Sept 24: Pakistan’s leading MNA Kashmala Tariq was on Monday elected the new chairperson of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarian’s (CWP) group, defeating her Canadian rival by 41 votes to 32.

India had supported her candidature in a four-corner race, in which the remaining two candidates belonged to Australia and the Dominican Republic.

“This is an acknowledgment of the progress made by women in Pakistan,” Ms Tariq told Dawn.

She described the win as a big achievement for Pakistan on a major international forum in recent years.

Ms Kashmala, who was vice- chairperson of the CWP before Monday’s election in New Delhi, said her win should help bring cheer to those Pakistanis who were grieved by the loss in a closely fought cricket match with India on Monday.

“It is ironical too that I have got India’s support in this important election for Pakistan.”

It was hard work, she said. The first round of the poll was inconclusive as she got just 35 votes against the Canadian’s 19.

The remaining two who received 10 votes each were then removed from the field. And the second round threw up a winning verdict for Pakistan with an absolute majority. Two Senators and four MNAs, including Ms Tariq are participating in the weeklong conclave of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The meeting will end on Sept 30.

“I am going to be bringing all my experience with CWP to maximum use to focus on issues relevant for the progress of women. The vote is evidence that my support base straddles different regions, from Africa to the Asia-Pacific and South Asia, where gender issues are intertwined with social under development and neglect.”