By Sohail Iqbal and Shafqat Ali

Like her looks, Kashmala Tariq is also a very bright person from deep inside. She wants everyone to be open and fair. Elected on one of the women reserved seats as a Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-e-Azam) candidate, young Kashmala Tariq vows to contest the next polls on general seat. As a symbol of liberalism, well educated Kashmala disagrees with the policies of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) who she thinks are “rigid on their stance”. Following are the details of Kashmala Tariq’s exclusive panel interview:

Question: How do you rate MMA and its policies?

Kashmala Tariq: MMA is rigid in its policies. MMA has disappointed in talks with PML-
Q.Their candidates won seats on anti-American card and are bound to carry on their policies. They have to stick to their policies and we have to follow our way. We want moderate attitude not fundamentalism.

Q:….. and MMA’s demands, wherein they seek uniform-less President, approval of Legal Framework Order from the Parliament and giving up of National Security Council idea?

KT: There is no harm in having Musharraf as President. We have had Presidents in uniform in the past. Other issues are debatable and we can discuss them in Parliament. We can talk on LFO especially.

Q: What would you say about Prime Minister’s visit to NA 56 days before polls. Some suggest it was a violation of the election rules!

KT: He had to go there to resolve public problems. We can't stop development projects.

Q: Some say the government carried worst horse trading to come into power. What will you say?

KT: The government did not purchase loyalties during the election of the Leader of the House and later in the confidence vote.There was no horse trading. If some people were fed up with the policies of their parties there is nothing the PML-Q could have done.The nation has tried Ziaul Haq, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and now it is turn for a new leadership.We have a new leadership in place now, the people want us to deliver. We are working to come up to the expectations of the people.

Q: What are your views on co-education?

Unlike MMA, I support co-education in the country which I think will boost confidence in womenfolk.We are around 70 women in National Assembly. How can we have the confidence to talk to male members when we never have any interaction.

Islam is a progressive religion and has always stressed education for the females. Islam never bars education. It asks followers to travel to far flung areas to get educated.I want massive changes in the educational system. I would like to see Arabic as a compulsory subject at all levels. It is our religious language. Then we can have English and a similar syllabus for all schools.

Q: Will you comment on women reserved seats in National Assembly?

President Musharraf provided women a chance to participate in national politics by reserving seats in the assemblies.I must appreciate that. He is a good man. He provided us with a chance but still I think more women should come as we constitute around half of the population.The females were not given such an opening during the government of Benazir Bhutto who herself was a woman. Females must be inducted to familiarise them with the political and social atmosphere.

Q: What are your aims as head of the NA (National Assembly) Justice Committee?

KT: As head of the NA Justice Committee I want restoration of Human Rights and punishment for the violators.There are Human Rights abuses all around. I want to use my position to overcome it and ensure security for citizens.I will not right away openly discuss "the debatable" Hudood Ordinance. We can discuss it in the Parliament.

Q: What do you think constitutes a successful politician?

KT: Mass contact is key for a successful politician. I remain busy all day and almost all the night looking after the people of my constituency. We have to work if we want to remain in focus.

Q: Pakistanis are in troubles these days in the US because of the INS registration system. Will you comment on that?

KT: I am critical of the US registration system for the Pakistanis. An NA (National Assembly) committee must be formed on the issue.Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri is there (in the US) to take up the matter. I hope everything will be alright.

Q: If anyone wants to know about Kashmala, how she started and what are her plans!!!!!

KT: I started with PSF (Peoples Students Federation), then I joined Tehrik-e-Insaf but soon came to know that it was a one man show. Now I am with PML-Q because it is a national party.I have been trying to give time to the family as well as the politics. I want to perform as the best in both home and the assembly.