CHAKDARRA: Nusrat Begum, an independent aspirant for NA-34, who attained distinction for being the first woman to contest for general elections seat from hilly Dir Lower District, went beyond her resources and purchased a car on loan to run her election campaign in far flung areas of her constituency.

Nusrat Begum, wife of Karim Khan, a security guard at a government school, is the first woman in Lower Dir ever to pick up courage and decide to contest elections.

Talking to APP here at her native Warsak village, she said that despite limited resources and already diminishing funds, a car was needed to run the campaign in remotest areas of her electoral constituency.

Although the vehicle that is Non-Custom Paid (NCP) 86 Corolla, purchased on a loan of Rs 70,000, yet it would prove to be a driving force on the winning course, she added. NCP vehicles are in routine use in entire Malakand Division comprising seven districts.

Nusrat Begum who is currently residing in a one room muddy house said that the loan would be repaid on monthly instalments.

Nusrat Begum was the district vice president of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) but had decided to contest election as an independent candidate because, she said, her party had allotted ticket to another candidate.

Keeping in view the support of local population and the firm belief on her endowed capabilities, she decided to enter in the political arena as an independent candidate.

Nusrat was jubilant over the response she was receiving during her door to door campaign in the constituency and was confident to stun her male opponents in the electoral battle.

Her husband told APP that response of local community was positive. Before purchasing the car, they ran the election campaign by hiring vehicles from their supporters.

Political observers and analysts termed the filing of nomination papers by a woman candidate in Lower Dir district a major development and said that now no one could stop women from taking part in elections and exercising their right to vote.