A Generational Approach to Men as Allies of Women in Pakistani Mainstream Politics

If Khattak represents the historical lens, barrister Aqeel Malik, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), embodies the optimism of a new generation. Malik, 38, serves as Minister of State for Law and Justice, where he underscores the role male politicians must play in reshaping Pakistan’s political culture. Malik speaks candidly about the need to not only recognise the presence of patriarchy but to confront it actively. He highlights how younger parliamentarians have taken visible steps to uplift women. One example he offers is the recent internal election of the Young Parliamentarians’ Forum, where all male candidates withdrew their nominations to support the unopposed election of a female colleague.

"We did not want to just speak of supporting our female colleagues, we wanted to show it in action, where it truly counts," he reflects. For Malik, allyship must translate into action. He describes his involvement in Parliament’s Gender Mainstreaming Committee and how he advocated for female leadership across parliamentary forums. Some of the known special committees, bodies, and caucuses within the parliament are now headed by women parliamentarians, for example, the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, and the SDG Secretariat. Malik sees this not just as a symbolic gesture but as an institutional correction. He insists that women must be part of real decision-making, with support that extends beyond words to resources, training, and inclusion in budgeting and party reforms.

However, Malik is also clear about the obstacles. He points out that even within progressive parties, gaining support for female leadership can be difficult. He notes that politicians often view each other as threats to be defended against; allowing women colleagues to rise can feel like ceding power in a zero-sum game. There is also suspicion and resistance rooted in outdated perceptions. However, he remains committed to challenging those views, particularly among older colleagues who, he suggests, may need to be sensitized. He proposes mentorship programmes and structured alliance networks among male parliamentarians, so that inclusion is not seen as a favour, but as a shared responsibility.
 

Rehmani acknowledges that while some male colleagues support women’s leadership, many still prefer their role to be advisory rather than decisive. She is critical of the tendency to isolate women within the quota system and deny them full participation in party structures or even access to the development funds. 

Under her leadership, the Caucus has become an engine of legislative change, what she calls “an organized weapon of resistance against patriarchal thinking”. From the Workplace Harassment Act to the recent Child Marriage Restraint Act, many of its legislative victories have come despite vocal opposition from far-right and religious parties. Rehmani notes that extremist narratives often target progressive legislation; yet the collective resolve of the Caucus, with backing from male allies in Parliament, has led to meaningful wins. 

She explains how the Caucus has expanded its membership beyond females by forming a Friends of the Caucus group that actively includes male MPs. It has also launched the Male Champions of Gender Equality initiative to ensure men are not just supporters from the sidelines, but partners in strategy and advocacy.

Rehmani’s expectations from male colleagues are both direct and practical. First, she urges them to abandon the mindset that sees women on reserved seats as subsidiary. These women, she argues, carry the trust of the public and represent the hopes of millions of Pakistani women. Second, she calls for guarantees of representation, not just token seats or references in speeches, but real positions in political committees, boards, and party delegations. Lastly, she insists that male politicians must publicly defend and amplify women’s leadership, especially in the face of character attacks and media backlash, which women regularly face.

The issue, as Rehmani repeatedly asserts, is not just about fairness to women. It is about the survival and integrity of democracy itself. A political system that excludes half the population, she argues, cannot claim legitimacy. Democracy demands shared ownership, and that includes ensuring women are not only present in Parliament but fully empowered to shape its outcomes.