Intra-Party Consultation on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in Political Party FrameworksJamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-P)

Aurat Foundation convened an Intra-Party Consultation with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-P) on 27 August 2026 in Islamabad, under the EU-supported Pakistan Women Leaders project, a joint initiative of UNDP and UN Women.

The session focused on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) within political party frameworks, with particular reference to the JUI-P Party Constitution. The consultation opened with prayers and condolences for the infants who tragically lost their lives at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal shared the key objectives of the consultation, highlighting the importance of strengthening women’s meaningful political participation, gender equality, and social inclusion within political party structures.

Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director, Aurat Foundation, delivered the opening remarks and welcomed the participants. He emphasised the need to create an enabling environment for women’s leadership, representation, and effective participation in decision-making, while encouraging political parties to strengthen their internal mechanisms, policies, and practices to foster more inclusive and gender-responsive political institutions. He highlighted the importance of constructive engagement with political parties and invited participants to openly discuss key opportunities, challenges, and practical measures to advance women’s meaningful participation in political processes.

Ms. Isma Toseer, Reporting and M&E Officer for UNDP’s PLEDGE gave a brief introduction to the PLEDGE project. She shared that the programme’s overall focus and its role in strengthening democratic institutions, legislative and electoral processes, digital governance, and citizen empowerment in Pakistan. She also spoke about the importance of inclusive participation, institutional strengthening, and engagement of citizens and stakeholders in democratic processes.

In her opening remarks Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, Member, National Assembly of Pakistan and Convenor, Women Wing, JUI (Pakistan), acknowledged Aurat Foundation’s contribution to advancing women’s political empowerment and promoting gender-responsive legislation in Pakistan. She highlighted JUI Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing women’s meaningful participation in political processes. She said that the party’s Women’s Forum and Women’s Wing are providing structured platforms for women’s leadership, representation, and engagement within JUI-P’s internal structures. The party leadership reaffirmed its commitment to creating inclusive spaces for women that reflect the evolving needs and realities of the modern political landscape.

Ms. Shahida Begum, MNA and a senior JUI-P leader holding multiple parliamentary roles including Convenor of a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Sub-Committee, Treasurer of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), and membership of the Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue and the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming presented the party’s constitutional framework. She highlighted JUI-P’s initiatives to promote women’s empowerment, cited examples of women leaders who have demonstrated strong political capability, and emphasized the party’s efforts to expand women’s access to decision-making and leadership platforms in line with contemporary realities.

Mr. Abdul Jalil Jan, Secretary Information of JUI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 1985 and a member of the party’s Central and Provincial General Councils, Executive Committee, and Majlis-e-Amila, briefed participants on the JUI-P Constitution, with emphasis on the progressive reforms introduced through the 2022 constitutional revision. He explained its organizational structure, objectives, membership requirements and internal governance mechanisms. He highlighted the hierarchical structure of the party, extending from grassroots ibtidai units through tehsil/town and district levels to provincial and central structures. He further explained the role of the party’s three principal governing bodies; Majlis-e-Aamla (General Council), Majlis-e-Shura (Consultative Council), and Majlis-e-Amila (Executive Council and their respective responsibilities in decision-making, policy development, implementation and oversight. The General Council was highlighted as the most authoritative body, with responsibility for constitutional amendments, policy procedures, budgets and annual accounts. The presentation also outlined the membership process and organizational participation, including formal registration, membership requirements and representation through different organizational levels. He shared the role of election boards in the nomination of candidates for Senate, assemblies and local government, demonstrating the importance of party structures in shaping political representation and participation. These aspects provided a useful basis for discussion on how existing party structures and constitutional mechanisms can be further strengthened to promote inclusive participation, greater representation of women and marginalised groups, and more effective participation in political decision-making processes.

Mr. Ali Imran, an expert on parliamentary affairs, political parties, and constitutional matters, presented the GESI Framework for Political Parties’ Code of Conduct and Best Practices, providing participants with practical guidance on embedding gender-responsive standards into party governance. He also emphasised the need for political parties to promote non-discrimination, equal opportunities, respectful political engagement, and safe and enabling environments for women and other underrepresented groups. The session provided a valuable framework for participants to reflect on existing party practices and identify opportunities for strengthening inclusive and participatory political structures.

Participants engaged actively, raising questions and sharing reflections on advancing gender equality and social inclusion within political party structures; Ms. Rehana Ismail, MPA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Ms. Aiman Jalil, MPA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Mr. Gurpal Singh, MPA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Ms. Asma Alam, MPA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Mr. Atta-ul-Haq Darvesh, Spokesperson, JUI Pakistan, Advocate Usman Anwar, President, Islamabad Wing, JUI Pakistan, Mr. Munir Paracha, Advocate, Rawalpindi and Mr. Arshad Abbasi, General Secretary, Rawalpindi and other senior leaders of Majlis-e-Shura.

The consultation concluded with remarks from Ms. Shahida Begum MNA, JUI Pakistan, Mr. Naeem Mirza Executive Director, AF, and Mr. Abdul Jalil Jan, Secretary Information, JUI KP, who reflected on the day’s discussions and reaffirmed the importance of sustained efforts to advance gender equality, social inclusion, and women’s meaningful participation within political party structures. Participants were encouraged to maintain continued dialogue, strengthen collaboration between political parties and civil society, and take forward the recommendations emerging from the consultation.