“The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa consider me a Pukhtana [a Pashtun native girl] and promote me as one of their own” and not as a minority Hindu woman, said Saveera Parkash, the first woman from Buner to contest in the general election for constituency PK-25 of the province.

The 25-year-old doctor appeared on Indian TV channel Aaj Tak for an interview where she debunked the propaganda being spread against Pakistan for its treatment of minorities and women population.

Prakash is contesting in the election 2024 on the PPP’s ticket on a general seat as well as a reserved seat for minorities and has been given the title of “Daughter of Buner” by the people of her district.

In her appearance on the Indian channel, she countered prejudiced questions posed by the show’s host, saying that she received strong support from people across the district.

“I am contesting from the PPP platform so they are supporting me, however, other parties are also showing support for me. They do not discriminate based on religion or gender,” Parkash added.

The host of the show referred to the quotes of former tainted Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria who continues to allege that the Hindu minority has been suppressed in the country.

Read: Before Saveera Parkash, another Hindu woman competed against men in Pakistan

Giving her example, Parkash rejected claims about such discrimination against minorities in Pakistan and said that she did not experience such incidents and was never considered an outsider throughout her life.

“I do not agree with this statement. KP which is considered less progressive than Punjab and Sindh has given me immense support, that too in a backward district such as Buner,” she said.

To the surprise of all, the host of the show told Parkash, born and brought up in Buner, that “despite being a Hindu, it seems you have completely become a Pakistani.”

“I was born in Pakistan and brought up in Pakistan. My duties and responsibilities have further increased since I was declared daughter of the district,” she replied.