Islamabad: With the conservative elements falling by the wayside in Pakistan's general election, the entry of "lipstick and eye-shadow wearing" women into Parliament could only mean good news for forward-looking Pakistanis.

Leading the pack of well-turned out women in Parliament is the first woman Speaker of Pakistan, Fahmida Mirza, who bears a striking resemblance to slain former Premier Benazir Bhutto. Like her martyred party leader and "friend" Bhutto, the former medico's make-up is always immaculate and a chiffon dupatta covers her head.

The ever-glamorous newly elected Information Minister Sherry Rehman, who got into parliament on a reserved seat for women, looked even more elegant at the swearing-in ceremony yesterday. Rehman showed up in a black salwar suit and a red handbag to match her attire. The main reason for the new-look Parliament is the hardline religious parties exit which would never have encouraged entry of glamorous women members leave alone accepting a woman in the Speaker's chair.

The Islamist Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal alliance managed to retain only six seats this time, a drastic reduction from its earlier 57. "Sherry clearly spends a lot of time on her clothes and make-up. I usually find her clothes and her chunky jewellery very loud for her age, but if I am to choose between a chador-wearing member and Sherry - I'd choose her," said Mehreen Khan, a university student.

The number of burqa-wearing women members has dwindled from previous Parliament's six to zero and those who show up in chadors sport rather flashy ones.

Source : PTI