In a significant move, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Religious Affairs and Pakistan Diaspora in the Middle East and Muslim Countries, highlighted the crucial role women play in elections during a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday. As Pakistan prepares for the upcoming general elections on February 8, Ashrafi emphasized the importance of voting as both a civic duty and a testimony.
Addressing recent discussions on social media regarding the Shariah status of voting, Ashrafi, who also serves as the Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), dismissed any doubts about the religious legitimacy of voting. He firmly stated that voting is not only a civic responsibility but a form of testimony, adding, “If the testimony is known, it is a crime not to give it.”
Ashrafi extended this principle to include women’s voting rights, highlighting that women should not be deprived of their fundamental right to vote. The Pakistan Ulema Council has already issued a ‘Fatwa’ (religious decree) affirming the legality of voting, with specific arrangements in place to facilitate women in exercising their voting rights.
With general elections approaching, Ashrafi underscored the ongoing preparations observed across the country. The ‘Fatwa’ not only provides religious backing for the act of voting but also emphasizes the inclusivity of the electoral process, ensuring that women have full rights to participate in shaping the future of the nation.
This proactive stance by the Pakistan Ulema Council aims to encourage widespread participation in the democratic process and dispel any misconceptions surrounding the religious aspects of voting. As the nation gears up for the upcoming elections, the affirmation of women’s voting rights stands as a crucial step towards fostering a more inclusive and representative democracy.
