The The Role of Women’s Political Activity in Promoting Islamic Values and Services to Society: Ms. Farakh Khan-a Practical Example
Abstract
The role of women in promoting Islamic ethics and social services has been historically significant. Islam clearly emphasize on collective responsibility of men and women in social reforms, services and welfare. However, in contemporary Pakistani society this role remains underrated and insufficiently acknowledged at large. This study explores the underlying causes for limited visibility of women in social activities, ethical leadership and politics.
In fact, this study examines socio-cultural, religious and political barriers that prohibit women for their public and political life. The study critically analyses patriarchal social structure, cultural practices, misinterpreted religious teachings, and the symbolic nature of women’s political representation in Pakistan.
In order to establish a practical connection to the theoretical discussion, the parliamentary role of Ms. Farakh Khan is represented as a case study that shows how Islamic ethical principles such as Amanah (Trust), Shura (Consultation) and Khidmat-e-Khalq (Service to humanity) can be effectively implemented within contemporary political institutions.
The findings of study reveal that restriction of women in social domains are not rooted in Islam, but is primarily a result of structural and ideological constraints. The study concludes by presenting strategic measures, including reinterpretation of Islamic teachings, educational empowerment, media engagement, and institutional reforms, to strengthen women’s political role in promoting Islamic ethics and social services. This research emphasizes the inevitability of comprehensive and morally grounded political participation of women for sustainable social development in Pakistan.
References
A, Ali, Modern Muslim Thought (Pakistan: Royal Book Company, 2000).
Ruby Lal, Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan (New York: W.W Norton& Company, 2018), 11-15
Hamid, Khan, Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan (Pakistan: Oxford University Press, 2001), 48-50
Senate of Pakistan, orders of the day, 2003, https://www.senate.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1531455835_925.pdf (Accessed on April 20, 2025).
Laila, Ahmed, Women and gender in Islam: Historical roots of a modern debate (NewHaven &London: Yale University Press, 1992)
Azeema, Begum, "Political participation of female in Pakistan: Prospects and challenges." Unisia 41, no. 1 (2023): 39-76.
Palwasha Nasir, “Barriers to Political Participation among Women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Pakistan Review of Social Sciences vol 6, no.1 (2025): https://www.pakistanreview.com/index.php/PRSS/article/view/411 (Accessed on January 9, 2026).
Human Rights Watch, Pakistan kay 2023 kay Waqiat, https://www.hrw.org/ur/world-report/2024/country-chapters/pakistan (Accessed on January 9, 2026)
Feesad Khawateen Apni Zindagi mein Tashadud ka Nishana Banen, DAWN News, February 6, 2023, https://www.dawnnews.tv/news/1196688/ (Accessed on January 8 2026)
Karen Armstrong, Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time (New York: HarperCollins, 2006), 84–85.
Sunan Ibn Mājah, trans. Muhammad Tufail Ansari (Lahore: Kazi Publications, 1993), 1:81; no. 224.
Fazlur Rahman, Islam (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979), 33–35.
Leila Ahmed, Women and Gender in Islam (New Haven& London: Yale University Press, 1992), 61–63.
United Nations Development Programme. (2020). Gender equality and governance in Pakistan. UNDP.
Asian Electoral Resource Center (AERC), Women’s Participation in Politics: Pakistan. Tokyo: Asian Network for Free Elections, n.d. https://aerc.anfrel.org/country/pakistan/women-participation/ (Accessed on January 12, 2026)
https://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_25/12_Population.pdf (Accessed on Jan 12, 2026)
South Asia Journal. “How Pakistan Still Shuts Women Out of Political Power.” South Asia Journal, 2023. https://southasiajournal.net/how-pakistan-still-shuts-women-out-of-political-power/ (Accessed on January 9 2026)
FAFEN (Free and Fair Election Network), Whom Do the Women Legislators on Reserved Seats Represent? Islamabad: FAFEN, 2018. https://fafen.org/whom-do-the-women-legislators-on-reserved-seats-represent/ (Accessed on January 11, 2026)
Women excellence awards - ICCI, ICCI, https://icci.com.pk/women-excellence-awards.html/ (Accessed on April 9, 2025)
A personal Interview of Ms. Farakh Khan with Abdul Basit Mujahid and Shahnaz Bibi on July 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm
National Assembly of Pakistan, “Ms. Farukh Khan Budget Speech in National Assembly of Pakistan”, YouTube, June 18, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8UmZUyz3Y/ (Accessed on April 9, 2025)
Ms. Farukh Khan Budget Speech, National Assembly of Pakistan, YouTube
A personal Interview of Ms. Farakh Khan with Abdul Basit Mujahid and Shahnaz Bibi on July 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm
A personal Interview of Ms. Farakh Khan with Abdul Basit Mujahid and Shahnaz Bibi
National Assembly of Pakistan. “Speech of Ms. Farakh Khan” Face book, https://web.facebook.com/NationalAssemblyOfPakistan/videos/honble-mna-ms-farukh-khan-in-her-speech-on-the-floor-of-the-national-assembly-ex/122984327547632/?_rdc=1&_rdr#/ (accessed on January 12, 2026)
A personal Interview of Ms. Farakh Khan with Abdul Basit Mujahid and Shahnaz Bibi.
Standing committee on defence production meets, National Assembly of Pakistan,
https://www.na.gov.pk/en/pressrelease_detail.php?id=6319/ (Accessed on April 9, 2025)
Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), https://wpc.org.pk (Accessed on April 9, 2025)