Who is Saveera Parkash, a Pakistani Hindu woman set to contest general elections?

For the first time in Pakistan, a Hindu woman from the north-west province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is set to contest the general elections next year.

Saveera Parkash, a medical doctor by profession, whose family has deep connections with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has filed her nomination for the general seat of PK-25. She would contest from the Buner district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

If endorsed by PPP, Saveera would be the first woman from her constituency, Buner, to contest the national elections.

Who is she?

• Saveera Parkash, hailing from a medical background, has a longstanding association with the PPP, particularly through her father, retired doctor Oam Parkash, as reported by Dawn, a news website.
• Graduating with an MBBS from the Abbottabad International Medical College in 2022, Saveera currently holds the position of general secretary of the PPP women’s wing in Buner.
• In an interview with Dawn, Saveera expressed her aspiration to follow in her father's footsteps and serve the underprivileged population.
• She emphasized her commitment to advocating for women’s rights in Pakistan, striving to create a safe environment for them to assert their rights, especially in sectors where they have historically been suppressed and overlooked.
• Citing her medical background, Saveera articulated her dream of becoming an elected legislator, stemming from her observations of mismanagement in government-run hospitals and her inherent desire to serve humanity.

‘Breaking stereotypes’

• Notably, social media influencer Imran Noshad Khan from Buner has publicly supported Saveera's candidacy, irrespective of her political affiliation.
• Khan highlighted Saveera’s pivotal role in breaking stereotypes perpetuated by traditional patriarchy, underscoring the importance of acknowledging the 55-year gap since Buner merged with Pakistan before a woman stepped forward to contest an election.
• As per the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), a mandatory 5% inclusion of women candidates on general seats is stipulated.