Luke Rahmat is the first individual from the Kalash valleys to contest the elections on a general seat of the provincial assembly from Lower Chitral as previously they could only think of a reserved seat on non-Muslim quota from the platform of a political party.

In his early 40s and being one of the first few graduates from the Kalash community, Rahmat has to his credit experience in rural development as he has been associated with the Ayun and Kalash valleys development programme for over a decade.

Talking to reporters at the Chitral Press Club, he said he had ventured into the poll arena though he was not hopeful about his success due to the numerical inferiority of his community. However, he said his initiative would embolden other young people in his community to compete in every walk of life.

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