SWABI: For the first time in the parliamentary history of Swabi district, five women out of total 86 candidates are contesting the elections for the national and provincial assembly seats.

Earlier, the women candidates had only returned on reserved seats for women in provincial and national assemblies.

Sitara Ayaz, former provincial minister and senator, who returned on women reserved seats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2008 on Awami National Party ticket, is contesting election from NA-19, Swabi-1.

“I will win the election with the support of my sisters and brothers and am determined to work for emancipation of women,” she said.

Meraj Humayun, who is relative of Sitara Ayaz, is also contesting elections from the same constituency. She had also returned on a reserved seat in KP Assembly on Qaumi Watan Party ticket, and also remained provincial caretaker education minister. She is contesting election as an independent candidate.

Ms Nazmia has filed nomination papers from PK-53, Swabi-V, on Tehreek-i- Labbaik Pakistan ticket. Belonging to Razaar tehsil, Ms Nazmina has jumped into political field for the first time.

Azala Atta will contest election as an independent candidate from PK-49, Swabi-1, on Pakistan Peoples Party ticket.

Ms Yasmin is contesting from PK-52, Swabi-IV, as an independent candidate.

TWO ARRESTED: The police recovered four kilogrammes of hashish and 280 grams of ice drug from two smugglers, including a woman, here on Wednesday, officials said.

They added a team led by DSP RazaarAjab Khan and SHO Kalu Khan police station Munsif Khan stopped a man and a woman riding a motorcycle, and during search they recovered the contraband from them. The man was identified as Fahimullah.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024