QADIAN: After having cast her first vote for the State Assembly elections in India in 2017 , Pakistani bride Tahira Maqbool is now eagerly waiting for May 19 when she will cast her vote for the Lok Sabha elections.

“When I was married in 2003, I had nurtured a dream to be an Indian citizen and cast my vote, the opportunity came after fourteen years when I voted during last assembly elections in Punjab and now I am going to be the part of formation of Centre government when I will cast my vote on May 19” said a visibly enthusiastic Tahira while talking to TOI on Monday.

Resident of Faislabad in Pakistan, Tahira Zahoor had married to Chaudhary Maqbool Ahmad, resident of Qadian in Gurdaspur district on December 7,2003 to become Tahira Maqbool , now mother of three.

After waiting for nearly 13 years, she was granted Indian citizenship in May 2016.

Ever since she had started staying at Qadian, Tahira had been involved in various social activities and other philanthropist works.

Tahira who is also president of a zone of Lajna Imaillah, a Ahmadiya Muslims women’s auxiliary organization , in Qadian said that she had been teaching school students, working for women empowerment and other social activities.

“One of our programme is to inform young children about advantages and disadvantages of use of mobile phone and we have been successful in conveying our point across “ said she.

She said their social activities were not restricted to only Ahmadiyya children but to everyone irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

“I recently held a session with other Pakistani brides married in Qadian and informed them about the significance of using our right to franchise and being proud partner in formation of both state and Centre government of our new country” said she.

Maqbool Ahmad informed Pakistani girl Sarjeet Kiran who had recently married with Ambala boy Parvinder Singh had sought suggestion from Tahira on coming to Indian and marrying here.

