Ayesha Gulalai

Ayesha Gulalai Wazir is a Pakistani politician who has served as a Member of the National Assembly. She represents a significant figure in the political landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her career spans various political parties and roles within the legislative framework of Pakistan.

Early life and education

Ayesha Gulalai was born in FR Bannu Domel Wazir. This area is located within the highly conservative region of South Waziristan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She pursues her academic interests at the University of Peshawar. She earns an M.Phil degree in Islamic Studies with a major in Comparative Religion. Her educational background also includes a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a BS in Computer Science.

Following her graduation, she enters the professional world of media. She works briefly as a journalist for the English daily The News International. She later holds leadership roles in professional organizations. These include serving as the chairperson of the Tribal Union of Journalists and the information secretary of the FATA Reforms Committee.

Career

Gulalai begins her professional journey as a human rights activist from Bannu Domel. She initially joins the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP). In this role, she serves as the coordinator for the women's wing in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. It is reported that the PPPP considered giving her a party ticket for the 2008 Pakistani general election. However, she cannot compete at that time due to age restrictions.

She later becomes a member of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML). In 2012, she joins Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and receives a nomination to the PTI central committee. She wins an indirect election to the National Assembly during the 2013 Pakistani general election. She secures this seat as a PTI candidate on a reserved seat for women from FATA. This achievement makes her the first female Member of the National Assembly from FATA. She also stands as one of the youngest members in the parliament.

Political tensions arise within her party in 2017. She resigns from PTI in August 2017—accusing the party of failing to guarantee respect and dignity to women. She specifically blames Imran Khan for inappropriate text messages sent to her in October 2013. While she refuses to resign from her National Assembly seat, the Speaker accepts her resignation on 4 August 2017. This follows the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif.

In February 2018, she establishes her own political faction named Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Gulalai) or PTI-G. The Election Commission of Pakistan allots a racket as the electoral sign for this party. Her party advocates for a presidential form of democracy. For the 2018 general elections, PTI-G provides tickets to four transgender persons to contest seats.

She contests the 2018 Pakistani general election across four different constituencies. These include NA-25, NA-53, NA-161 and NA-231. She is unsuccessful in all four attempts. During the 2018 elections, PTI-G secures 4,130 votes for the National Assembly and 1,235 votes for the Provincial Assembly. In May 2019, she suggests that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari merge the PPP with her party. Finally, she joins PML-Q during a press conference on 25 May 2023.

Personal life

Gulalai comes from a family with notable achievements. She is the sister of Maria Toorpakay. Maria is a renowned women's squash champion who resides in Toronto.