Designer Khadijah Shah has announced her decision to relinquish her U.S. citizenship in order to accept a reserved National Assembly seat for women on the PTI ticket, following an offer from former premier Imran Khan. Pakistani law prohibits dual nationals from serving as members of parliament.
Thank you for your courage and resolve…!!#KhadijahShah pic.twitter.com/2PRIjU3ANQ
— Nawab Naeem Sial (@NawabNaeem8058) July 30, 2024
In an Instagram post, Shah expressed that the decision to give up her U.S. citizenship, which provides “freedom, safety, and opportunity,” was challenging. However, she emphasized her deep connection to Pakistan, describing it as her motherland where she has built her life and a place she cannot abandon.
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Shah shared that she has faced “unimaginable injustice over the last year and a half,” but this adversity has fueled her sense of purpose. She is motivated by a desire to make a positive impact in Pakistan.
“I am 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,” Shah stated. Until her dual nationality issue is resolved, she has nominated Mehrunnisa Sajjad to represent her. Shah described Sajjad as an Oxford University graduate and a barrister who has dedicated her career to advocating for marginalized groups in Pakistan.
Shah clarified that Sajjad is neither a family member nor a friend but was selected after careful consideration for her embodiment of the values Shah hopes for all Pakistani women.
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“Like me, Mehrunnisa is passionate about fighting for the rights of the marginalized, establishing genuine democracy, and driving progress in Pakistan. I am proud to have nominated such an exceptional young Pakistani woman to represent PTI and myself in parliament,” Shah added.
Shah, who leads the fashion brand Élan, was arrested after the May 9 riots on charges of vandalism and rioting but was released on bail in December 2023. In April 2024, an anti-terrorism court withdrew bailable warrants for Shah but issued new warrants in another case related to the May 9 riots.