IN the recent by-election held in the NA-21 constituency of Mansehra district, women voters were barred from casting their votes at almost all polling stations of the constituency.

Obviously they were deprived of their basic human right of casting vote as enshrined in our Constitution.

Reports appearing in the media suggest that there was a consensus among all political parties contesting the by-election, including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League (N), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) and the PPP, that women voters of the constituency will not cast their vote at all the polling stations.

Ostensibly, there was no reason for these parties to do so because they were the mainstream political parties of the country.

It may be pertinent to mention here that Mansehra does not fall in the tribal belt of the country; rather it is a modern city of the NWFP.

Residents of NA-21 are better educated, liberal and modern as compared to the tribal region of the country.

However, it was disappointing to see such a bias towards the women voters of the constituency.

A number of questions arise in one's mind after seeing such a drastic violation of human rights of women voters during the by-election.

Are we citizens of a democratic country? Are we living in the 21st century or in the stone age?

Does this show bias on the part of our so-called democratic political parties? How long would our women be deprived of their basic human rights, including the right of vote?

When will we move forward and start behaving like a nation? Is Laiq Khan, winner of NA-21, the representative of the whole population of this constituency?

Political parties should behave responsibly and not let down the masses. If they claim to be democratic, then this must reflect in their actions and deeds as well.

They should not force the masses to think of a 'saviour' again.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan should take a suo motu notice of this gross violation of a basic human right of women of this constituency and order a comprehensive investigation into this matter.

The president of Pakistan, being the head of state and symbol of unity and federation, should also play his role in discouraging such violations of fundamental rights of the women in the country.

AAMIR SAEED
Islamabad