ISLAMABAD: In a bid to encourage women belonging to marginalised areas to take active part in the national politics, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated Hindu woman of Tharparkar Krishna Kumari to contest for a general seat in the March 3 Senate election.

Breaking the shackles of years-long slavery and submission when she was taken as captive along with her family in 1979, she had joined the PPP as a social activist along with her brother, who was later elected as Chairman of Union Council Berano.

Belonging to the Kolhi family that had stood against the oppression of British Raj in 1857, Kumari had been repeatedly encouraged by the PPP to contend as a Senator on its ticket.

She stated that she had made all the necessary documentation to file her nomination papers after she was assured a seat by the PPP in the Senate.

The PPP’s narrative is bent on advancing women involvement in politics. It has given birth to women politicians like Benazir Bhutto (Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister), Hina Rabbani Khar (Pakistan’s first female Foreign Minister) and Fehmida Mirza (first female Speaker of the National Assembly) in the past and aims to continue its legacy of furthering female empowerment in politics.

Having a good numerical strength in the Sindh Assembly, the PPP will be able to easily elect Kumari. Owing to their control over the provincial legislature, the PPP and Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) will share the twelve seats.