DAGGAR: Breaking new ground, Hindu woman in Pakistan is gearing up to participate in the upcoming general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district. Dr. Saveera Parkash has successfully cleared the scrutiny of her documents and is set to run in the PK-25 constituency of the KP Assembly. She has also submitted nomination papers for reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies.

In the election scheduled for February 8, 2024, Dr. Parkash will be up against prominent candidates such as Awami National Party (ANP) leader and former minister Sardar Hussain Babak, ex-minister Riaz Khan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader and ex-lawmaker Mufti Fazal Ghafoor, and others.

Dr. Parkash, who completed her MBBS from Abbottabad International Medical College in 2022, serves as the general secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) women’s wing in Buner. Her father, Dr. Om Parkash, a long-time party member, recently retired.

Expressing surprise at the positive response from the local community, Dr. Saveera Parkash mentioned that even leaders and supporters of religious parties appreciated her decision to run for election.

Buner district has seen participation from male members of the minority community in previous elections. Additionally, a transgender individual named Sobia Khan has filed nomination papers as an independent candidate for the provincial assembly seat from constituency PK-81.

Sobia, who holds a Bachelor’s degree, aspires to advocate for the rights of the transgender community, women, and children if she wins the elections. Her campaign strategy includes extensive door-to-door outreach to garner support from both men and women in the area. Notably, Sobia is the first transgender radio jockey in the province.

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