Political parties and candidates in Pakistan are gearing up for the upcoming general election on February 8, as the surge in independent candidates signifies a broader shift in the political landscape. Saveera Parkash, a 25-year-old doctor, will be the first Hindu woman to contest upcoming elections from the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, aiming to bridge the divide between Pakistan and India. As a military-backed crackdown puts the squeeze on opposition parties, some candidates argue that authorities are hindering their campaigns by allotting them degrading or weird symbols. Major political parties including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party unveil manifestos promising solutions to economic challenges, but economic analysts express skepticism and caution that the country’s weak economic condition and IMF loans may hinder the fulfillment of these promises, leading to ongoing inflation.