Political dictatorship and social hopelessness create the desperation that fuels religious extremism.

We learned at an early age that it was men's interpretation of our religion that restricted women's opportunities, not our religion itself. Islam in fact had been quite progressive toward women from its inception.

I still want to return home whenever I get a chance.

Pakistans future viability, stability and security lie in empowering its people and building political institutions. My goal is to prove that the fundamental battle for the hearts and minds of a generation can be accomplished only under democracy.

It's quite difficult for me not to be able to return to my country, but in my country justice has been murdered.

Freedom is not an end. Freedom is a beginning.

I am constitutionally competent to contest the elections.