First Hindu Woman to stand for Election in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Region

Dr. Saveera Parkash, a Pakistani-Hindu, is the first female candidate from the minority community to participate in the forthcoming general elections in the Buner district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. As per Dawn's report on December 23, Parkash formally submitted her nomination papers for the general seat of PK-25.

Currently holding the position of General Secretary of the Women's Wing for the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in the district, she is optimistic about contesting the elections as the party's nominee. Scheduled for February 8 next year, general elections in Pakistan will determine the composition of the 16th National Assembly.
Having completed her MBBS in 2022 at Abbottabad International Medical College, Parkash expressed to Dawn that her inclination toward "serving humanity is in my blood" due to her medical background.

She revealed that her aspiration to become an elected legislator is rooted in her firsthand experiences of witnessing inadequate management and a sense of helplessness in government hospitals during her tenure as a doctor. Parkash shared with the daily that she aims to follow in the footsteps of her father, Oam Parkash, a recently retired doctor and active party member for the past 35 years, who has been dedicated to serving the area's underprivileged.

Endorsing Parkash's candidacy, social media influencer Imran Noshad Khan stated on X: "Dr. Saveera Parkash is the first female candidate from Buner, marking a historic moment as women have not previously been involved in electoral politics in the region. I wholeheartedly support her in breaking stereotypes."
The Election Commission of Pakistan mandates a minimum of 5 percent representation of women candidates on general seats.