Early Life and Background
A Simple Beginning
Rehana Imtiaz Dar was born in Sialkot, a vibrant city in Punjab, Pakistan, famous for its sports goods industry. While detailed information about her birthdate and early education is scarce, it’s known that she led a relatively private life as a housewife before entering the political spotlight. Sialkot, with its 65% literacy rate and bustling economy, shaped her understanding of local issues like employment and development, which later influenced her political agenda.
Family Ties
Rehana Dar is the mother of two prominent PTI figures, Usman Dar and Umar Dar. Her family has deep roots in Sialkot’s political scene, with her son Usman Dar being a former Special Adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Youth Affairs. This family connection played a significant role in her decision to enter politics, as she sought to continue her son’s legacy against political rival Khawaja Asif.
Rehana’s personal life reflects her strength and determination. As a mother, she faced personal and political challenges, including alleged harassment by authorities, yet she remained steadfast in her mission to serve her community.
Entry into Politics
A Reluctant Start
Rehana Dar never planned to be a politician. She described herself as a housewife with no political ambitions until circumstances pushed her into the arena. In 2024, she decided to contest the General Elections from NA-71 Sialkot-II, motivated by what she called “atrocities” inflicted on her family by PML-N leader Khawaja Asif. Her entry was a bold move, driven by a desire to seek justice for her son Usman Dar, who had previously lost to Asif in the 2013 and 2018 elections.
Initial Affiliations
Rehana ran as a PTI-backed independent candidate, aligning herself with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Her nomination papers were initially rejected due to allegations of non-payment of social security dues and non-disclosure of assets, but the Lahore High Court overturned the decision, allowing her to compete.
Political Career and Achievements
A Bold Challenger
Rehana Dar’s political career is defined by her courageous challenge to Khawaja Asif, a PML-N veteran who has held the NA-71 seat multiple times since 1997. In the 2024 General Elections, she ran a spirited campaign, focusing on development, accountability, and change. Despite her loss, she garnered significant attention and support, securing 100,272 votes compared to Asif’s 118,566.
Role in PTI
As a PTI-backed candidate, Rehana Dar became a symbol of resilience for the party. She campaigned on PTI’s platform of anti-corruption and economic reform, resonating with Sialkot’s voters, who showed strong support for Imran Khan. Her rallies, often filled with PTI and national flags, highlighted her ability to mobilize crowds.
Key Achievements
- Strong Electoral Performance: Despite not winning, Rehana Dar’s 100,272 votes in NA-71 were a testament to her popularity and the trust voters placed in her.
- Legal Challenge: She challenged the election results in the Lahore High Court, alleging rigging based on discrepancies between Form-45 and Form-47 results, showcasing her commitment to electoral transparency.
- Community Leadership: Rehana led protest rallies against alleged election rigging and participated in PTI events, such as a prayer ceremony for martyred workers, strengthening her role as a community leader.
Relationship with Usman Dar
Who is Usman Dar?
Usman Dar is a prominent PTI politician and Rehana Dar’s son. Born in Sialkot on August 28, 1974, he served as Special Adviser to Imran Khan on Youth Affairs from 2018 to 2022 and was Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. He contested against Khawaja Asif in the 2013 and 2018 elections but lost narrowly, with vote margins of 21,275 in 2013 and 1,493 in 2018.
A Shared Political Journey
Rehana Dar’s political journey is closely tied to her son’s. Usman’s repeated electoral battles with Khawaja Asif and his subsequent resignation from PTI in 2023 due to political pressures inspired Rehana to step into politics. She claimed her candidacy was a response to the mistreatment of her family, particularly Usman, by Asif and his allies. Her campaign was supported by Usman and her other son, Umar Dar, PTI’s district president in Sialkot.
Public Perception
The mother-son duo is seen as a powerful force in Sialkot’s politics. Rehana’s decision to run was viewed as a bold act of defiance, earning her the nickname “iron woman” among supporters. Their shared commitment to PTI’s ideals has strengthened their public image as a family fighting for justice.
Controversies and Media Attention
Election Rigging Allegations
Rehana Dar’s 2024 election campaign was marred by controversy. She claimed to have led by 65,000 votes based on Form-45 results, but the final Form-47 declared Khawaja Asif the winner. She accused Asif and the returning officer of rigging and filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, requesting a recount and a halt to the official results. She also alleged physical harassment at the returning officer’s office, including being manhandled and having her arms twisted.
Arrest During Protest
On May 9, 2024, Rehana Dar was arrested in Sialkot before leading a PTI protest rally marking the anniversary of the May 9 riots. Her son Umar Dar claimed the arrest was orchestrated by Khawaja Asif, though the police denied detaining her. She was released hours later, but the incident drew significant media coverage.
Viral Statements
Rehana Dar’s press conferences and public statements have gone viral, particularly her assertion that the votes she received were for Imran Khan, not herself. “The city of Sialkot loves Imran Khan,” she said, highlighting her loyalty to PTI’s leader. Her outspokenness against Asif’s alleged misconduct has kept her in the media spotlight.
Role in Recent Elections
General Elections 2024
Rehana Dar contested the 2024 General Elections from NA-71 Sialkot-II as a PTI-backed independent candidate. Her opponent was Khawaja Asif, a PML-N stalwart and former Defence Minister. Initial results showed her leading with 131,165 votes against Asif’s 81,615, but the final tally reversed this, with Asif securing 119,001 votes to her 100,482.
Here’s a comparison of their performance:
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khawaja Asif | PML-N | 119,001 | Winner |
| Rehana Dar | PTI-backed Independent | 100,482 | Runner-up |
Source:
Despite the loss, Rehana’s strong showing challenged Asif’s long-standing dominance in Sialkot, a PML-N stronghold. Her campaign focused on local issues like development and accountability, resonating with Sialkot’s 577,281 voters.
Campaign Highlights
- Grassroots Support: Rehana mobilized thousands of supporters, with public polls suggesting she had a favorable position due to PTI’s popularity in Sialkot.
- Protest Rallies: Post-election, she led protests against alleged rigging, claiming to have video evidence of misconduct by the district administration.
- Legal Battle: Her petition to the Lahore High Court kept the election results under scrutiny, delaying the final announcement.
Social Media Presence
Engaging with the Public
Rehana Dar is active on social media, particularly on X, where she goes by the handle @RehanaImtiazDar. Her posts focus on PTI’s agenda, election updates, and calls for justice. She engages with supporters by sharing videos of her rallies and statements against political opponents.
Impact on X
X posts reveal strong public sentiment in her favor. For instance, users like @WaqasnawazMD praised her as an “iron woman” for enduring harassment, while @Pakistanomy highlighted her early lead in the 2024 elections. However, some posts, like @justujuuu, noted the disappointment of her loss, reflecting polarized opinions.
Strategy
Rehana uses social media to amplify her message, often sharing PTI’s narrative of electoral fairness and Imran Khan’s leadership. Her posts are emotional and direct, appealing to Sialkot’s youth and women.
Public Perception and Support Base
Supporters
Rehana Dar enjoys significant support in Sialkot, particularly among PTI loyalists and Imran Khan’s fanbase. She emphasized that her votes were a reflection of love for Khan, indicating her role as a conduit for PTI’s popularity. Her grassroots campaigns and protest rallies have solidified her image as a fighter for the people.
Critics
Her critics, mainly PML-N supporters, dismiss her rigging allegations as baseless. Khawaja Asif’s victory in 2024 and the police’s denial of her arrest claims have fueled skepticism among her opponents.
Community Engagement
Rehana Dar has participated in community events like the PTI prayer ceremony for martyred workers, showing her commitment to local causes. Her focus on development and accountability has won her admiration among Sialkot’s voters, who see her as a fresh alternative to traditional politicians.