Peshawar: Suraya Bibi, originally from Chitral, has been appointed as the Deputy Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly. She belongs to the PTI and won the PK-01 seat in Chitral, defeating JUI-F’s Shakeel Ahmed, who secured 10,000 votes against her. Suraya Bibi made history by being the first woman elected on the general seat to the KP Assembly from Chitral, receiving 18,000 votes. Chitral also marked a historic 50% voter turnout.
She credits her win to the marginalized status of women in underprivileged areas of Pakistan. A social worker by profession, she previously led the PTI in Malakand Division.
Acknowledging the neglect of women’s roles in societal development, she expressed her determination to address this issue in her constituency.
The PTI leads the KP Assembly, with Ali Amin Gandapur nominated as the next Chief Minister. The Peshawar High Court (PHC) extended bail until March 19 to Gandapur amidst ongoing legal issues, instructing authorities not to arrest him during this period.
The case was heard by Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed, with the court directing law enforcement agencies to refrain from arresting Gandapur. The government and relevant institutions have been ordered to provide detailed responses in the next hearing, adjourned until March 19.
Gandapur, awaiting CM election, plans to meet Imran Khan in jail to discuss the KP cabinet. He has submitted his papers for the CM KPK election.
