Islamabad - Nargis Javed Najma, 42, is challenging the political parties in the local government election.
She is contesting for the slot of vice-chairperson from union council # 30 that comprises sub-sectors of G-7, including G-7/2, G-7-3, G-7/3-1, G-7/3-3, G-7/3-2, G-7/3-4, and G-7/4, the areas mostly inhabited by low-income government servants.
She does not believe in the ideology of other parties which, she says, never return to the people after getting votes. Thus, she is contesting along with a panel of independent candidates.
Former Senator of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Zafar Ali Shah, Amir Sheikh of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf and an independent candidate Naeem Gujjar are also contesting for the seats of chairman/vice-chairman from the same union council.
The days have been hectic for Najma as the campaign for the Monday polls ended last night. She campaigned door to door from early morning to late night soon after the announcement of election schedule.
Najma who has been training girls and women of surrounding areas at her sewing and embroidery centre for the past 10 years says her campaign is focused on female voters and she wants to work for them if elected.
“People living in these areas are mostly low-income families having no health, recreational and job opportunities,” says Najma. “I have personally seen young girls and women who are in desperate need of treatment and healthcare but they have been dumped at the corners of their homes due to poverty.”
Her plans include the establishment of healthcare centres and ensuring facility of soft loans for women. “If given soft loans, young girls and women can start up their own small household businesses and steer themselves and their families out of poverty.”
She says, “Although men stare at me and throw up some strange questions when I campaign yet the response from women has been welcoming and encouraging. The other candidates have been spending heavily to lure youngsters and women so it has been hard for me to convince voters. I ask them not to be lured by the timely benefits including free food and money and think about the future and long terms prospects.”