Naushabah Khan, the newly elected British-Pakistani Labour MP, has shared that her motivation to join politics stems from her commitment to justice, deeply inspired by her late Pakistani father and his activism.
Speaking to Geo News, Naushabah recalled, “The first call I received after my victory was from my phupho [father’s sister] in Pakistan. My relatives have been calling me non-stop to congratulate me. It’s incredible.”
On July 4, Labour turned the Gillingham and Rainham seat red, ousting the Tories in a significant win marked by Naushabah’s victory. Her parents hail from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and her opponent, Rehman Chishti, had held the seat since 2010 and previously worked as an assistant to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
Naushabah garnered 15,562 votes for Sir Keir Starmer’s party, which achieved a landslide victory nationwide. Chishti, the incumbent MP since 2010, secured 11,590 votes, finishing second.
The Tories had held the seat since 2010, making it a crucial target for the Labour Party. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer launched the party’s election campaign in Gillingham in May, with Naushabah by his side.
In the 2019 election, Chishti, the son of a local imam from Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir, won the constituency for the Conservatives with a 15,000-vote majority.
When asked about defeating another politician of Pakistani descent, Naushabah explained to Geo News, “It was all about politics. People were tired of the Tory rule. They felt the healthcare system, economy, roads, schools, and their lives were in disrepair. They wanted change and freedom from Tory inefficiency.”
Naushabah noted that most of her voters were English, emphasizing that they chose a woman of Pakistani heritage to break nearly 15 years of Tory dominance.
“My family is overjoyed. My phupho was the first to call me from Pakistan. My mum is still very emotional about my win. My dad passed away four years ago during COVID. He would have been very proud if he were here today. My mum is still in a state of shock and emotion.”
Growing up, Naushabah was influenced by her father’s dedication to social justice. He stood up for what he believed was right and humane.
“My values come from my dad. He taught us that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. We weren’t wealthy, but he instilled in us the values of bravery and hard work. He taught me to fight for justice, equality, fairness, and to be the voice for the voiceless. He said that hard work is the key to achieving your goals, regardless of your background. These values led me to politics.”
Naushabah urged the younger generation of Pakistanis, Muslims, and Asians to engage in politics and take ownership of their future. “This is our country. We belong here. The new generation often thinks politics doesn’t work for them, but that’s not true. They should step forward, find solutions, and be part of the system.”
