Intra Party Consultation on Advancing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Political Party Frameworks – National Party

Aurat Foundation held a consultation with the National Party on 23 May 2026 at Serena Hotel, Quetta, bringing together 34 participants. Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Zulfiqar Durrani, Head of Office, UNDP Sub-Office Balochistan and Chair of the UN Provincial Programme Team (UNPPT), Balochistan; Mr. Pullain Baloch, MNA and Member of the Central Council of the National Party; Ms. Kalsoom Niaz Baloch, Provincial Secretary for Women, Balochistan and Co Facilitator of the Consultation; and Mr. Alludin Kilji, Resident Director, Aurat Foundation. The consultation was attended by Dr. Ishaq Baloch, Central Vice President; Mr. Miran Baloch, Central Joint Secretary, Mr. Ramzan Hazara, Member CEC; Ms. Salama Qureshi, Member CEC and Women President, Mr. Muhammad Khaliq, Ex-Provincial President, Mr. Jalil, Secretary Law, Mr. Khalid, Member CEC, Mr. Fida Hussain Dashti, Central Secretary Finance, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad, Regional Secretary and Member CEC, Mr. Dad Muhammad Baloch, Member CEC, Mr. Hanif Kakar, Provincial Vice President, Balochistan, Bibi Muqdasa, Student and Youth Committee, Mr. Siddiq Khatran, Advocate and Central Secretary Research, Ms. Noreena; Ms. Laiba Mirani, Political Activist, Mr. Aneel Gouri, Secretary Human Rights, Ms. Sadia, Education Secretary, and other members of the senior leadership.

The sessions were led by parliamentary expert Ali Imran. Mr. Ali Ahmed Langau, Central Information Secretary of the National Party, presented an overview of the party’s constitution, outlining its guiding principles, organizational structure, and core values. He also explained the constitutional party provisions governing functioning and decision-making, setting the context for the subsequent discussion on GESI within the party structure.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Zulfiqar Durrani stressed the importance of integrating a GESI framework into political party structures to advance inclusive governance, equitable participation, and rights-based policymaking. He said that the persistent gaps underscore the need for political parties to adopt GESI-responsive frameworks, strengthen internal mechanisms, and promote the inclusive participation of women and marginalized groups in political and decision making processes. He reaffirmed the PLEDGE Project’s role as a platform for advancing inclusive and participatory democratic governance in Pakistan, and highlighted the value of sustained collaboration with political parties, civil society and other stakeholders in strengthening democratic participation at all levels.

Mr. Pullain Baloch commended the consultation process and acknowledged the importance of creating spaces for dialogue and reflection on gender equality and social inclusion. Ms. Kalsoom Niaz Baloch reaffirmed her full commitment to the initiative, noting that such processes would help make the party constitution more gender-responsive, inclusive, and aligned with the principles of equality and social justice. Mr. Allaudin Khilji outlined Aurat Foundation’s longstanding engagement with political parties to promote inclusive, democratic, and gender-responsive governance.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Ishaq Baloch thanked Aurat Foundation and UNDP for their technical facilitation and reaffirmed his commitment to the consultation process, assuring that the resulting recommendations would be reviewed for possible incorporation into the National Party Constitution. Mr. Dad Muhammad Baloch described the National Party as a secular, progressive, and democratic political force rooted in the aspirations of the oppressed nationalities and working people of Pakistan, and expressed his full support for the initiative’s objectives and its resulting recommendations.

Participants recommended reforms to strengthen gender equality, inclusion, and internal democracy within the party. Key proposals included measurable targets for women’s representation in leadership bodies such as the Central Committee; financial, mentorship, and campaign support for women candidates; and grassroots outreach in rural and marginalized communities. Participants also called for political education programmes for women, youth, and marginalized groups; a review of constitutional provisions to meet international inclusion standards; and accountability mechanisms including a GESI Committee, focal points, and an Ethics and Accountability Committee to monitor implementation. Further priorities included transparent, merit-based nomination and election procedures; stronger financial and organizational capacity; youth leadership pathways; regular intra-party elections; a resource pool of women professionals; improved data and monitoring systems; and strategic partnerships with civil society, academia, and governance actors to support long-term reform.