Leave the
Women Alone
By Sofia Baig Elahi
MD
Brampton, Ontario
Canada
In her recent letter to Pakistan Link, Ms. Abeer
Khan does a great disservice to the women of Pakistan
by passing a number of flippant judgments. The
writer takes issue with women supporters of the
Jamaat-e-Islami urging them not to take part in
political demonstrations and to stay at home.
Ms. Khan implies that these women cannot formulate
views on their own.
Although I may not agree with some of the Jammat-e-Islami's
opinions, I fully support the right of all Pakistani
women to exercise their political rights irrespective
of party affiliation or political philosophy.
It behooves all Pakistanis to be reminded that
we have a constitution and institutions which
need to be strengthened for the benefit of all
citizens. A large number of Pakistani women, both
at home and abroad, continue to speak out against
the current military government because of its
ongoing disregard for the challenges facing women.
Moreover, comments made against women activists
still resonate strongly in the minds of many Pakistanis.
I remind the writer that no less a person than
the current military ruler made uncharitable comments
such as implying that Pakistani women were purposely
claiming abuse to seek overseas visas or financial
recompense. Many Pakistani women including myself
would like to see the military return to the barracks
and to see the country as a functioning democracy
as envisioned by her founders.
Ms. Khan may choose to support military rule but
her mindset shows that she has a lot to learn
from the women of her adopted home in the United
States. She asks rhetorically "Can't they
see the difference between the exceptionally good
leaders and the bad ones?" I believe it is
best to let the women of Pakistan decide for themselves
what is or isn't good for Pakistan. I doubt if
Ms. Abeer Khan would also urge the large number
of women demonstrators in the United States, including
anti-war activist Jane Fonda, to stay at home
because their opinions are not the same as hers.
