A divided household: Daughter in PTI, father in PPP

Published: May 2, 2013
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   PTI candidate for NA-240, Naz Baloch.

PTI candidate for NA-240, Naz Baloch.

KARACHI: 

Naz Baloch first became interested in joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after the party’s chief, Imran Khan, paid a visit to Mama Parsi Girl’s High School where she studied.

He had come to collect funds for his Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital. “We [students] saw him sticking to his words and building the hospital. I started idolising him since then.” Soon after graduating from St Joseph’s college with a degree in economics, she married a staunch PTI supporter who encouraged her to join the party.

PTI leader Fauzia Kasuri, who approached educated people to come out from the confines of their houses and play their part, also motivated her to join the party. And so two years ago she did exactly that, despite the fact that her father is a staunch Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) supporter who has been awarded the party’s ticket for a provincial assembly seat. At her father’s house in Pak Colony, huge PPP banners adorn the walls and nearby pillars while Naz’s posters can be seen some distance away.

While drawing room arguments on politics are common in the Baloch household, they have never had an impact on the personal relations. “Father is still stuck with the ideology of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, while I believe in Khan sahib’s Naya Pakistan. Our siblings are divided about who to support.”

So competitive is Naz that she wants Humayun Khan Swati, PTI’s candidate for the same seat her father is vying, to win. “He is my father, but I want my party to win every seat,” she grins.

Naz vows to tackle the shortage of potable water, introduce better schools and open maternity homes as well as hospitals in the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2013.

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Reader Comments (29)

  • NayaPakistan
    May 2, 2013 - 9:41AM

    Don’t follow dynasty, follow the vision and this lady is following the vision of great leader Imran Khan.

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  • S Abid
    May 2, 2013 - 10:19AM

    PTI is very lucky to have a brave woman – that too a Baloch- on their side. Women, Baloch people, minorities and all the neglected and oppressed sections of society should be given special attention and opportunities if we want a NAYA Pakistan. Only a progressive party like PTI can do it. I wish her and all women success in election, career and lives. Pakistan Zindabad.

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  • Insafian
    May 2, 2013 - 10:26AM

    best of luck sis..! you’ve really broken the shackles may almighty Allah be with you…!

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  • Mast Malang
    May 2, 2013 - 10:39AM

    I wish and pray she wins the seat. Her enthusiasm and commitment for Naya Pakistan is just great.

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  • khan
    May 2, 2013 - 11:29AM

    strenght to you lady

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  • BILAL
    May 2, 2013 - 12:06PM

    what a girl she is, Courageous !!

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  • ashar
    May 2, 2013 - 12:23PM

    Divided they stand. No matter whosoever wins.

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  • shahzaib
    May 2, 2013 - 12:38PM

    Just about now I’m getting sick of all these political dramas and these silly exaggeration of political people’s personalities when they are ALLL but DIRT!

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  • King
    May 2, 2013 - 1:35PM

    The CHANGE has come !!!

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  • Wafu
    May 2, 2013 - 1:37PM

    This is the picture of true democratic culture where difference of opinion is accepted with open heart.But such culture can only be prevailed in only literate society.The biggest hurdle for Pakistani democracy is that half of population which is still illiterate. So that is a fine manifestation of changing Pakistan.

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  • ImranAli
    May 2, 2013 - 1:38PM

    Vote for … Fairness, a ubiquitous and free healthcare system, a country with free Education at its heart, Schools we can be proud of, the end of the “War on Terror”, New Jobs, Local Government, Fair and Consistent taxation across the divide, the end of Nepotism, Low Inflation, the end of corruption, equality for our minorities, efficient public utilities such as Gas and Electric, the end of vested interests, a Police and Judiciary working to serve and protect the public, good relations with all our neighbours, investment in transport infrastructure, someone who cares about Pakistan. Come May 11, vote for Imran Khan’s PTI ….

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  • Yasir Mehmood
    May 2, 2013 - 1:55PM

    Actually its the same party. Imran khan is proving to be ppp/pmlq campaign leader in punjab.

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  • Pepsi
    May 2, 2013 - 2:08PM

    PTI choice of the next generation… just like Pepsi.

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  • sb se Pehly Pak
    May 2, 2013 - 2:28PM

    This is the difference between the thinking of our educated youths and olds,

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  • CrankShaft
    May 2, 2013 - 2:36PM

    @ImranAli – And prepare to be disappointed. If you think PTI will manage to even achieve ONE of those things, i pity your naivety.

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  • Parvez
    May 2, 2013 - 2:46PM

    Now here you have a person with a mind of her own………….yes a woman……..bravo !!

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  • Sajid SIAL
    May 2, 2013 - 2:51PM

    Visionary lady, God bless you.

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  • Liaqat Yousufzai
    May 2, 2013 - 3:46PM

    Naz is a brilliant lady and brave lady. This is itself a change in Pakistan’s politics what IK is talking about.

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  • Babablacksheep
    May 2, 2013 - 3:53PM

    very common now days.At least some one from home will be in govt.

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  • May 2, 2013 - 3:57PM

    Now, this is one good news for Pakistan. There are very less Blochis participating in Politics openly. Most Balochis in Karachi support PPP but their days are long gone now.

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  • True Karachiwala
    May 2, 2013 - 5:01PM

    @King: Then change your name as well. It does not fit into slogan of “change”

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  • adnan
    May 2, 2013 - 5:32PM

    Educated, clean & courageous lady. Vote 4 change. Vote 4 naya pakistan.

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  • Stranger
    May 2, 2013 - 5:44PM

    May her tribe increase.

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  • Matin A Khan
    May 2, 2013 - 6:53PM

    Where there is no vision, the people perish.

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  • Another Pakistani
    May 2, 2013 - 10:31PM

    family division or risk diversification in portfolio management ;-)

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  • Bonga
    May 2, 2013 - 10:34PM

    So let me get this right… If PPP comes into power, the dad will get a lucrative position in the government. If PTI wins, the daughter (and her husband) will be minting it. How is that a family divided? Aren’t they one of the smarter political families, having hedged their bets on the outcomes of the elections?

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  • Adil Uddin
    May 3, 2013 - 8:30AM

    The situation somehow resembles my family and relatives too. My dad is a staunch supporter of Parvez Musharraf and really felt bad when heard about the ex-president’s disqualification. He even admires the former dictators too saying that Democracy is not for a country like Pakistan.
    Whereas I admire PTI/Imran Khan.
    Moreover, my paternal uncle has been a voter of MQM for many years and he says that despite all ills MQM is the only option if you want to see developments and progress of Karachi, and criticizes Naimatullah Khan sahib. But, my maternal uncle has been a supporter of Jamat-e-Islami and Naimatullah.

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  • babloo
    May 3, 2013 - 10:26AM

    A clear example of PPP + PTI alliance in the elections.

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  • May 4, 2013 - 1:31AM

    @babloo:
    babloo your name is the same as your way of thinking , get a life :/

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