Despite worrying about the citizenship of their own country, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is more bothered about his neighbouring country's decision in abrogating Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir
Islamabad: While tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after PM Modi's government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's 'temporary special status' on August 5, an estimated 2.6 million women living in Pakistan's northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa do not possess a National Identity Card (NIC), rendering them ineligible to vote restricting their ability to play a role in the political, social and economic progress of the country.
According to the data compiled by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA), of the estimated 2.6 million disenfranchised women, 1,00,000 are from Swabi, while 70,000 live in Abbottabad and 90,000 in Bajaur.
In a tweet, the TDEA said, "2.6 million women in #KhyberPakhtunkhwa don't own #CNIC. Their ability to play a role in political, social & economic progress is restricted, and they are unable to take advantage of public social safety, education & health services."
However, a report in Geo News said that an identity card allows citizens in Pakistan to vote, seek membership of political parties, gain access to government welfare schemes and services including hospitals, education, and banks.
Not having an identity card deprives these women from participating in public life and becoming full citizens of the country.
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