Dir is stronghold of JI thats why the barring. Its not exactly cultural thing, in most of the KPK women are not barred from voting. In my district , only one village , Pahar khel, decided to not allow women to vote (the village is noted for heavy presence of Taliban) but entire district of more than 200 villages got 'badnaam' due to one case. Those Karachhiites (e.g
@Secur) see it a chance to target our community , others make the assumption due to example of Dir. My district is relatively more strict and conservative than Peshawar valley, women here wear the notorious Shuttlecok burqa, yet they go to polling stations. Of course there is no point in arguing with those, who in mimicry of west, have problems with women observing parda.