Justice Retired Nasira Javed Iqbal – daughter-in-law of Allama Iqbal – could very well be Pakistan’s next president. This is an exciting concept for many, considering her education, poise, and also considering what having a female president for the first time would mean for the country in terms of progress towards liberalism. Here are 7 things you should know about your would-be president:
1) President of Lahore High Court Bar Association
In 2009, Nasira Javed Iqbal won the by-election against Shahid Bilal Hassan organised by the Punjab Bar Council. She claimed one of her first agendas would be launching a campaign against Musharraf. 
2) Championer of Women Rights
Nasira Iqbal has more than once proved that she wants what’s best for the women of Pakistan – and she will work for it. She drafted a bill to prevent domestic violence against women in 2008 and amended legalities that hampered women’s rights to own land. 
3) President of the Punjab Medical Health Association
She is known for her humanitarianism – this includes securing the health and welfare of children, minorities and all other disadvantaged people. 
4) President of the Concerned Citizens Society of Pakistan (CCP)
With the motto ‘unite for the rule of law’, the CCP is an activist group that was kickstarted in 2007 as a way to fight against military dictatorship. Nasira Iqbal was at the head of this movement and contributed much towards making sure lawyers’ voices were heard and that the community was taken care of. 
5) Grew Up Watching Her Parents Strive
Perhaps part of what drives her is the fact that she grew up around people who constantly worked towards betterment and excellence. Her father had a doctorate as well as a Bar-at-Law degree and acted as a representative of Pakistan at the League of Nations. Her mother was just as active – she played a prominent role in the Pakistan Movement and also created Fatima Memorial Hospital. 
6) Showed Us It’s Never Too Late
Justice Retired Nasir Iqbal did not pursue law until much later – she held back for the first decade of her married life. In 1986, she obtained a degree in law from Harvard and graduated with honours. Her two sons were also pursuing degrees in law at the same time. Moreover, on principle, she abstained from appearing in the High Court until her husband was retired. She is a woman who knows her priorities and sticks to her principles. 
7) Her Would-Be Manifesto Matches Up With Khan’s
It is interesting to note how Imran Khan and Justice (R) Nasira Iqbal have a lot in common with regard to goals – both distinctly lean towards the eventual creation of a welfare state of sorts which provides and safeguards rights for all. 
The public is certainly very excited at the prospect of having the much-revered Nasira Javed Iqbal as the next president. However, has Pakistan really reached that pinnacle of advancement yet? This is something that has never been done before – admittedly, however, the candidate in question might even be overly qualified for the position.