Dr. Saveera Parkash, a member of the Hindu community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Buner district, has filed her nomination papers for a general seat in the upcoming 2024 general elections, as reported by Dawn.
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Dr. Saveera Parkash becomes the first woman from a minority community to enter the political arena in this region. Her decision to contest the elections is a personal aspirations.
Dr. Saveera Parkash, a graduate of Abbottabad International Medical College in 2022, is breaking gender barriers but is also set to challenge societal norms as she vies for a political seat.
Her affiliation with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) as she follows in the footsteps of her father, Oam Parkash, a retired doctor and dedicated PPP member for the past 35 years.
Dr. Saveera Parkash’s candidacy is underlined by Saleem Khan, a local politician associated with the Qaumi Watan Party, who noted that she is the first woman from Buner to submit nomination papers for a general seat.
The general elections are scheduled to be held on February 8, 2024, to elect members of the 16th National Assembly.
Dr. Saveera Parkash serves as the general secretary of the PPP women’s wing in Buner, her active involvement in political and community affairs.
In an interview with Dawn, she expressed her commitment to working for the betterment of women in the region, advocating for their rights, and creating a secure environment.
The decision to run for office is rooted in Dr. Saveera Parkash’s desire to continue her father’s legacy of serving the underprivileged.
Having submitted her nomination papers on December 23, she remains optimistic about receiving the endorsement of the senior leadership of the PPP.
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Her medical background is a perspective to her candidacy, as she draws on firsthand experiences of mismanagement and helplessness in government hospitals during her tenure as a doctor.
Imran Noshad Khan, a social media influencer from Buner, has expressed wholehearted support for Dr. Saveera Parkash, transcending political affiliations.
Khan commended her for challenging stereotypes ingrained by traditional patriarchy, addressing the importance of a woman stepping forward to contest elections in a region where it took 55 years since Buner merged with Pakistan.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has introduced amendments mandating a five percent inclusion of women candidates in general seats.
Dr. Saveera Parkash’s nomination aligns with this positive step towards enhancing gender representation in the politics of Pakistan.
Local politician Saleem Khan, associated with the Qaumi Watan Party, acknowledged the nature of Dr. Parkash’s candidacy, noting that she is the first woman from Buner to file nomination papers for a general seat.
This underlines the breakthrough she represents in a region where it took 55 years since Buner merged with Pakistan for a woman to step forward and contest elections.
Dr. Saveera Parkash’s candidacy includes amendments by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), mandating a five percent inclusion of women candidates in general seats.
The upcoming general elections, scheduled for February 8, 2024, will be a moment for Dr. Saveera Parkash and her aspirations to represent the people of Buner but also to be a for women and minority communities in Pakistani politics.
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