Daily Times

MARYAM NAWAZ — the 44-year-old daughter of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, this politician is perhaps one of the most good-looking people in the country. Maryam Nawaz comes across as a person who enjoys dressing up and dressing well. We have noticed her outfits at weddings, at graduation ceremonies, at public meetings, talk shows and press conferences. Anywhere she appears, we can’t help but notice her understated choice of shalwar kamiz, pants and shirts and of course the very prominent designer bags and shoes she wears, giving the rest of the ladies ‘something to shop about’. Maryam seems to be fond of wearing jewellery as she accessorises her outfit well with earrings, rings and necklaces.

SHERRY REHMAN — this former Leader of the Opposition in Senate defies age with a dressing sense which is unmatchable. We can easily say, Sherry Rehman is a trendsetter of Pakistani politics. She is elegant, graceful and very dignified regardless of what she wears. We are a fan of her fur coats, her pearly white jewellery, her pantsuits, bags and sunglasses. The 57-year-old politician is a style icon!

HINA RABBANI KHAR — known as the original Style Queen of Pakistani politics, the 40-year-old former foreign minister breathed life into the style game of politics when she showed us all how to look fiercely feminine and ‘I’m here for business’ like. Not only do her impeccably pressed shalwar kamiz, pearly white accessories and unwavering duppata make us fall in love with her more but also the fact that her makeup is always subtle, natural and very decently done. Hina Rabbani Khar is a wit queen as well. She’s eloquent, extremely knowledgeable and well read and that shows in her speeches, public interviews and comments.

ZARTAJ GUL — minimal makeup, simple lawn jorras and bare accessories, the PTI minister is self assured and confident in her own skin. She knows she is good looking and she also knows she needs no makeup to look attractive. Soft facial features and stylish traditional attire is what defines Zartaj Gul’s glam look!

SHARMILA FAROOQI — happily married Sharmila Farooqi, once made every heart swoon owing to her flawless skin, peaches and cream complexion and big doe eyes. With a tough persona and an equally warm nature, Sharmila Farooqi compliments her attributes with a dazzling sense of dressing. Easter or western, Farooqi is always clad in the latest and the trendiest of attire, with her shoes, bags and jewellery items matching her look. She doesn’t wear so much make-up as she doesn’t need it but when she does, we can’t stop looking at her.

HINA BUTT — this designer turned politician is what you call beauty with brains. She’s one of those very few female politicians who have a spot-on dressing sense and a dignified way of carrying herself, even if she’s posing for the cameras outside the Punjab Assembly. Dressed mostly in traditional attire, this Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarian can make any outfit stand out; it’s almost as if she breathes life into a getup. Fond of travelling and socialising, the 36-year-old Member of Provincial Assembly looks equally electrifying in western clothes as well. Mostly seen wearing a warm smile, Hina Butt has a friendly persona to match her flawless style.

MOMINA BASIT — this young Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) politician from Peshawar is also considered one of the most beautiful politicians right now. Fair, slim and very confident, Momina Basit wears light and pastel colours mainly, that accentuate her complexion and makes her appear very attractive. She opts for well defined eyebrows to go with her light eyes and nude shades of lipstick. Momina Basit can make anything she wears stand out especially with the black sunnies she always wears.

MAIZA HAMEED — when talking about stylish divas in Pakistani politics, who can forget the very cute PML-N MNA Maiza Hameed? She’s an active politician who participates in talk-show debates, public welfare campaigns and village benefit activities. But that’s not the reason she made the list. We love her for her super stylish dressing sense and the best thing about her is that she knows exactly where to flaunt her style – in the comfort of her close family and friends. Her perfectly blow-dried hair that falls well below her shoulders and her rich choice of rouge makes appear very glamorous.

AYESHA GULALAI — tall, fair and serious looking, Ayesha Gulalai is not only one of the most beautiful Pakistani politicians but is also one of the most stylish. We are judging her based on her unique, distinct and signature way of dressing up, in which she stays true to who she really is – a Pakhtun to the core! Clad mostly in shalwar kamiz, with a chiffon duppata covering her head, Ayesha Gulalai once pleasantly surprised everyone by wearing the traditional Pashtun headgear and outfit to the National Assembly proceedings. We couldn’t take our eyes off her as she carried the outfit with grace, aplomb and style.

BUSHRA BIBI — we might not have seen much of her face or her clothes or even her accessories for that matter, but the First Lady even then looks super glamorous in a plain abaya, which is crisply pressed and falls down well in voluminous layers. Bushra Bibi very stylishly flaunts her rings and bangles on neatly manicured hands. It is indeed all about carrying yourself well and the 40-year-old does it with grace and poise. Well defined eyebrows and light kohl eyes are the only features she reveals other than her hands and we are also a fan of her choice of pearl white or pastel shade abayas.

SHIREEN MAZARI — we love the PTI minister for her signature style and the glamour she exudes in brightly dyed streaks and neon nail colours. We also love the human rights minister for her big smile and a determined approach to affairs. Super glam and super stylish!

KRISHNA KOHLI — this Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senator is a breath of fresh air herself. Similarly to Peshawar’s Ayesha, this 39-year-old politician has a distinct and a signature style of her own. She makes most of her public appearances and senate meetings clad in her traditional dress of Tharparkar, which is a colourful frock, complete with a dupatta that she wears on her head with its tail trailing at the back along with arm-high white bangles. She’s confident, energetic and very vocal. With her ambitious and unique sense of style, Krishna Kohli sure stands out from the rest.

BUSHRA GOHAR — this Member of National Assembly makes all those stories about grey hair making you look old sound lame. The Awami National Party leader is not just beautiful and distinct in her features but also one of the most fashionable. With a noticeable personality to match her dressing sense, 57-year-old Bushra Gohar carries herself with immense elegance. There is absolutely no colour that won’t look good on her, be it western attire or Pakistani dress. We also love the way she accessorises her outfits with colourful jewellery and that statement kajol she wears.

Published in Daily Times, October 28^th 2018.