Daily Times

Dr Sarah Safdar has made history. At least in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For she has become the first-ever woman from a religious minority group to be appointed a minister. And while we send her our heartiest congratulations, it is regrettable that it took until the last set-up was dissolved for a Christian woman to hold the Ministry of Religious and Minority Affairs; among the others that she currently holds under her interim belt.

Be that as it may, Dr Safdar is the best person for the job. Not only because she understands the double burden of oppression that minority women face. But also, due to her vast experience and impressive educational background.

Indeed, her appointment is akin to sticking two proverbial fingers up at those who seek to maintain the status quo by talking of the traditional conservatism which rules that women of the area remain locked out of the public sphere; let alone political life. Dr Safdar holds a PhD in sociology, with research focusing on the Mohmand tribe — specifically the question of Pakhtun tribal women within the context of marriage and inheritance. Thus her inclusion into the interim cabinet is an important signal to the women of FATA that there marginalisation will come to an end once they formally merge with KP.

Though the responsibility for this rests with the incoming government. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the latter will consolidate the gains represented by Dr Safdar’s appointment. And in the meanwhile, it is similarly expected that the caretaker set-up will take the precautionary steps of providing her with adequate security. After all, the extremist elements that assassinated fellow Christian Shahbaz Bhatti, a sitting federal minister, back in 2011, have yet to be fully neutralised.

Unfortunately, this is the reality of today’s Pakistan as it celebrates 10 years of uninterrupted democracy. Each step forward is met with fear of provoking the enemies of the state. It is now time for the country to buck this trend.  *

Published in Daily Times, June 22^nd 2018.