Pakistani American fashion designer Khadijah Shah announced on Tuesday that she has accepted the reserved seat offered by the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and decided to relinquish her US citizenship because dual nationality holders cannot become members of the parliament in Pakistan.
Shah faced charges of rioting and vandalism in May 2023 and she was jailed for months in precarious conditions. However, a court finally ordered her release on bail in December 2023.
In her latest Instagram post, Shah wrote a long note and explained why she has decided to accept Imran Khan’s offer and why she has nominated another woman to book her slot for the time being. She wrote, “Making the decision to relinquish my US citizenship, which guarantees freedom, safety, and opportunity, was not easy. However, Pakistan is my motherland, the place I call home, and the country where I’ve built my life. I cannot give up on it and my people.
“I’ve witnessed and personally experienced unimaginable injustice over the last year and a half, but that adversity instilled in me a sense of purpose. I’m driven forward by the desire to make a difference for Pakistan.
“I’m honored that Chairman PTI and my lifelong hero, Imran Khan, considered me worthy of representing his party and being part of his vision for Pakistan. I accepted his offer to take the reserved seat and hope to live up to his expectations and those of my fellow citizens.
“Until my dual nationality issue is resolved, I’ve nominated Mehrunnisa Sajjad to represent me. Mehrunnisa is neither a family member nor a friend, but I chose her after careful consideration because she embodies what I hope every Pakistani woman can have the opportunity to become. She’s an Oxford University graduate who held the prestigious Vice President position of the Oxford Union, a barrister at law, and has dedicated her career to advocating for the marginalized and downtrodden in Pakistan, often pro bono.
“Like me, Mehrunnisa is passionate about fighting for the rights of the marginalized, establishing genuine democracy, and driving progress in Pakistan. I’m proud to have nominated such an exceptional young Pakistani woman to represent PTI and myself in parliament. We are committed to working together to make a meaningful impact for our country and party. Insha’Allah.”
