A recent photo from a high-level meeting between Pakistan and Iran has gone viral, sparking debate on gender representation in politics.
The image shows Iranian Minister for Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh, along with two other Iran women delegates, seated across from an all-male Pakistani team.
On the Pakistani side were Federal Ministers Abdul Aleem Khan, Jam Kamal Khan, and Hanif Abbasi, among others. The talks focused on regional connectivity projects such as the Gwadar-Chabahar route and the revival of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway.
However, instead of highlighting the economic discussions, the photo drew attention to the absence of Pakistani women in leadership roles. Many social media users pointed out that Iran women were visibly present, while Pakistan’s delegation was entirely male.
Some commentators noted the irony, given that Pakistan often considers itself more moderate than Iran. “Such a sad picture for a country which sees itself as more secular than Iran,” one user remarked. Others recalled that women’s presence in such meetings was more common during Benazir Bhutto’s tenure or under leaders like Shireen Mazari and Sania Nishtar.
Iran currently has three women ministers in its cabinet. In comparison, Pakistan has one female federal minister and two ministers of state. Critics argue this gap reflects a lack of inclusivity in Pakistan’s decision-making process.
Supporters of Iran’s approach stressed that global media often overlooks the fact that Iran women do hold significant government positions despite the country’s conservative image.
While the meeting aimed to strengthen regional cooperation, it has also become a reminder that progress is not only about trade and infrastructure. True advancement, critics say, must also include equal participation of women in shaping policy.
Until female leaders are a routine part of such delegations, calls for progress may remain largely symbolic.
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