Pakistani human rights activist from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Gulalai Ismail, who h escaped authorities last month, has reached United States and is seeking political asylum. law enforcement ncies were looking for Ismail for her alleged involvement in anti-state activities. According to media reports, Ismail is currently staying with her sister in Brooklyn, New York.  "I didn't fly out of any airport," she told an American newspaper claiming that her exit story will put many lives at risk.

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Parents facing charges of financing terrorism

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) h recommended putting Ismail’s name on Exit Control List (ECL), as informed to Islamab High Court last vember. Later, High Court ordered removal of her name from ECL after Ismail challenged government’s decision. However, court h allowed government to take appropriate action including confiscation of her passport. While Ismail has safely arrived in US, her parents are facing charges of financing terrorism and are currently under heavy surveillance. Security services were looking for 32-year-old activist and raided many of her friends’ houses.

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'Her life would be in danger in Pakistan'

A Pakistani official said that she was t traceable and it was suspected that Ismail h left country. US Senator and Democrat Charles Schumer said that he would everything to provide Ismail political asylum in country. “It is clear that her life would be in danger if she were to return to Pakistan,” he said. 

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Ismail's history of activism

Gulalai Ismail, chairperson of Aware Girls, a n-governmental organisation, is a recipient of International Humanist of Year Award from International Humanist and Ethical Union. Ismail, daughter of human rights activist Muhamm Ismail, co-founded NGO Aware Girls in 2002 with her sister Saba Ismail. objective behind setting up NGO was to challenge culture of violence and oppression of women in rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa area in rth-west of Pakistan. In May 2019, Pakistan police h accused her of "seditious speeches and inciting people to attack state institutions.”

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