In a first, a woman from the Hindu community in Pakistan, is set to contest the upcoming general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Buner district after successfully passing scrutiny of her documents. Dr Saveera Parkash will contest elections in the PK-25 constituency of the KP Assembly. She has also filed nomination papers for the national and provincial assemblies’ reserved seats. She will face 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 as they contend for PK-25 in the polls slated for February 8, 2024. Dr Parkash completed her MBBS from the Abbottabad International Medical College in 2022 and is also the general secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) women’s wing in Buner. Her father Dr Om Parkash, who recently retired, has been an active member of the party for the past 35 years. Upbeat over the response of the local people, Dr Saveera Parkash said that she had not expected such an overwhelming response.

“Even the leaders and supporters of the religious parties appreciated my decision to contest the election,” she added. Several minority families have been living in Buner district and some male members of the community contested elections in the past. Transperson files nomination papers from KP's PK-81 Similarly, a transgender person, Sobia Khan, from KP filed nomination papers for the provincial assembly seat from constituency PK-81 to contest the polls. Running her campaign as an independent candidate, Sobia expressed her heartfelt desire to champion the rights of the transgender community, women, and children if she secured victory in the elections. Sobia said she is determined to be an advocate for transgenders’ rights, challenging societal perceptions that undermine their potential contributions to the welfare of society. Her election campaign strategy includes an extensive door-to-door outreach in the constituency, aiming to garner support not only from men but also from women in the area Possessing a Bachelor’s degree, Sobia holds the distinction of being the first transgender radio jockey in the province.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)