Remembering liberal face of Pakistan 

June 17, marks the death anniversary of one of the most charismatic and democratic leaders of recent times. Fauzia Wahab, “The liberal face of Pakistan” was arguably the most important person in bringing about the introduction of a culture of tolerance and inclusive democratic process in Pakistan. 

She played a major role in empowering Pakistani women. She spread smiles with her wit and spoke out in spite of criticism. Throughout her life, Fauzia fought for democracy, human rights and women’s empowerment. Through sheer hard work, dauntlessness and sincerity, she became the face of the PPP.

Benazir Bhutto plucked her out of nowhere to contest 1997 general elections and then appoint her to head the Human Rights Cell of the PPP. In those difficult times of witch hunting during the decade of 1990s and later on Pervez Musharraf, she highlighted the plight of victimization of her party. Coupled with the media revolution, she along with women parliamentarians like the iron lady adi Faryal Talpur, Sherry Rehman, Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Nafisa Shah, Shazia Atta Marri, Mehreen Bhutto, Palwasha Khan, Rubina Khalid  became the voice of educated women who left a mark on the parliamentary history of our country.

As an Information Secretary of the PPP during the most hostile period for its government, Fauzia Wahab stood out like a rock for her party. Fauzia upheld the liberal face of the PPP and Pakistan in the highly polarized and charged environment of Pakistan. She played a key role in a number of bills related to female empowerment. She was extremely outspoken against the enemies of Pakistan. Not a single allegation of corruption was ever levelled against her.

When our leadership lacked courage to speak the truth over the issues related to the war on terror. Fauzia openly debated those issues through the media and received death threats for speaking the truth whether it was the issue of Pakistan-US bilateral relations, the Raymond Davis issue or the issue of drones or the OBL killing — Fauzia always gave her honest opinions on these matters. Every one is working towards self-interest. No one thinks about the larger interest of the nation. Fauzia Wahab did and always tried to bridge the trust deficit between Pakistan and US.

It is a matter of sadness that she passed away after a minor surgery to operate upon her gall bladder became life threatening. She fought on for three weeks, but the damage was major and she died of complications on June 17, 2012.  Today our political system is poorer without a woman like her. One can hope that more women come into politics and play their role. If Fauzia Wahab can achieve heights despite her modest middle class background, all can. All one needs is passion. She will be long remembered for her services to democracy, women’s empowerment, spreading the message of tolerance and supporting the war on terror. Her death was a big blow for Pakistan and the vacuum created will never be filled. On Aug 14, 2012, she was honoured with a posthumous Hilal-i-Imtiaz award for her services to democracy and parliament.  When I think about it all, I feel our people were never as poor as they are today without Fauzia Wahab. May Allah rest her soul in peace, Aameen.