Gunmen kill former Afghan woman lawmaker

Published January 16, 2023
A woman looks at a picture of former Afghan lawmaker Mursal Nabizada on her mobile phone.—AFP
A woman looks at a picture of former Afghan lawmaker Mursal Nabizada on her mobile phone.—AFP

KABUL: A former lawmaker of Afghanistan, Mursal Nabizada, and one of her bodyguards were shot dead while her brother was wounded in a night-time attack at her home, police said on Sunday.

“Nabizada, along with one of her bodyguards, was shot dead at her house,” Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said.

“The security forces have started a serious investigation into the incident,” he said, adding that a brother of the ex-lawmaker was also wounded in the attack, which took place during the night between Saturday and Sunday.

Guard also dead, brother wounded in attack at her home; police start investigations

Nabizada was a “fearless champion for Afghanistan”, former lawmaker Mariam Solaimankhil said on Twitter. “A true trailblazer — strong, outspoken woman who stood for what she believed in, even in the face of danger,” she wrote.

“Despite being offered the chance to leave Afghanistan, she chose to stay and fight for her people,” she added.

The 32-year-old woman hailed from the eastern province of Nangarhar and had been elected as a member of parliament from Kabul in 2018.

“I am sad and angry and want the world to know!” tweeted Hannah Neu­mann, a member of the European parliament, in response to the killing.

“She was killed in darkness, but the Taliban build their system of gender apartheid in full daylight.”

Women had worked in prominent positions across Afghanistan in the two decades since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, with many becoming journalists and politicians.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...