Dr Saveera Parkash, first Hindu PPP candidate from Buner PK-25, vows better ties with India

Dr Saveera Parkash, the first Hindu candidate to contest upcoming general elections on the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) ticket from the Buner (PK-25) constituency, said, if elected, she would help build diplomatic bridges between Pakistan and India and champion women's rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

With her candidacy, the party has created history in the province, as the highly-educated aspirant belongs to the minority Hindu community, a first instance for a relatively conservative KP.

Speaking with Geo News, the 25-year-old said she has received the title 'daughter of Buner', while the "Muslim brothers" have not only assured her of getting their votes but also their complete support. For Dr Saveera, the biggest religion in the world is humanity.

Born in 1998 in the village Dagar, Dr Saveera received her receiving her primary and secondary education from her native district but did her FSC in pre-medical from Lahore. The young doctor completed her education in medicine from Abbottabad and began a house job.

She was currently preparing for the Central Superior Services (CSS) in Pakistan after receiving the PPP's ticket to run for upcoming polls. The reason Dr Saveera chose the PPP to contest in the elections was due to her family's 37-year-long support for the party.

After winning the elections, her priorities as a lawmaker would include promoting education and addressing issues like health and environmental pollution. She is also concerned about the lack of health facilities available in her district, along with the lack of education and awareness about healthcare.

She also thinks that women get fewer rights and no opportunities for advancement, and solving all these problems is among her top priorities.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's visit to India and getting a party ticket is a positive development towards the relations between both nations. If elected as a lawmaker, Dr Saveera will help solve the problems of Hindus living in both Pakistan and across the border.

After leaving the medical profession and prolonging her desire to take the competitive examination in Pakistan, the young politician will try her luck on the PPP's ticket, which has also set her name aside for a special women's seat in the KP assembly.

"I was proud to be a part of the Pashtun culture, but when I got the party ticket for the general elections and people, including my Muslim brothers, came to know about it, I received several congratulatory and encouraging messages," she said, sharing astonishment at receiving immense support after which her morale "rose higher than the Himalayas".

Dr Saveera further told Geo News that people stand with her because of this she has never felt ostracised. The young politico does not only have the PPP's backing but is also receiving support from other parties, which is an indication that she will receive votes from Muslim voters as well.

The aspirant candidate said she is a patriotic Hindu and after receiving the 'daughter of Buner' title her morale has further increased. If elected as a provincial assembly member, she will play a positive role towards the relations between Islamabad and New Delhi, while the Hindu community — both in Pakistan and across the border — will be able to contact her without any hesitation.

The politician, who will contest one of the most crucial elections in the country's recent political history, termed Bilawal's Goa visit a positive development towards fostering Indo-Pak relations.

In an interview with Geo News, PPP KP's women wing head Senator Rubina Khalid termed Dr Saveera a "gifted daughter" to Dr Om Prakash, an old-time worker of the PPP in Buner. She spoke about first coming across the aspiring politician during a party meeting in Buner and realised that the "girl had the passion to do something", following which she was invited to join politics. 

Senator Khalid said the PPP is a symbol of federation and doesn't discriminate between women and minorities.

"This is the reason why Dr Saveera Parkash got the ticket from Buner and we created a new history in KP, while in Sindh, too, we brought forward people belonging to minorities, not only in the election battle but also in the assembly," she said.

Dr Saveera earlier chose to become a doctor following the footsteps of her father, who worked with a passion for humanitarian service. "Buner is a backward district where problems are aplenty and facilities are lacking," she said.

During her house job, the young doctor realised that she would have to do something different to rid the district of its problems, considering that she decided to enter politics.

Welcoming, Dr Saveera into the political fold, Awami National League (ANP) leader Samar Haroon Bilour, who is also contesting in the polls on the general seat, said women should come forward in politics and the minorities should be supported.