YouTuber, preacher Dr Zeba Waqar fights political heavyweights in Lahore’s NA-122

Amidst the high-profile battle between prominent figures Khawaja Saad Rafique of PML-N and Latif Khosa of PTI, Dr Zeba Waqar, a female candidate of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), has emerged as a contender in Lahore's NA-122 constituency, known as a traditional PML-N stronghold.

Dr Waqar, a gynecologist and alumna of Fatima Jinnah Medical University, brings healthcare expertise to the political arena.

Beyond her medical background, she founded An Nisa Islamic Institute, dedicated to Islamic learning and teaching the Holy Quran which provides free education and support for women nationwide.

She also has a YouTube channel with 17,500 subscribers where Dr. Waqar delivers daily lectures on the Holy Quran and Hadith.

In an interview, she said that she didn't create YouTube channel for monetary gains and highlighted her commitment to religious education and community service as she steps into the political spotlight in NA-122.

“As an Islamic preacher, I felt it was necessary for me to have a space on social media so that I could reach a wider audience. Electronic media does not give us much coverage, so my husband and I decided to create the channel,” she said.

She is now not a practicing medical professional, however she only helps those women who cannot afford quality health care.

“I have worked closely in the healthcare system, and as a gynecologist, I know how ignorant we are when it comes to issues related to women,” she said.

Dr. Zeba further complained that most government hospitals in Pakistan are in a “pathetic condition.”

“So as someone who has been through these problems, I know I can do much better for the area and the city than those who’ve been here for years and didn’t do anything except speeches,” she said.

Dr. Zeba Waqar is mindful of the challenges confronted by young doctors, particularly women, and is determined to address and rectify these issues.

She further claimed that her party’s main motive is always advocating for women’s empowerment but under Islamic rules. “We need to enhance the role of women in nation-building and politics. However, at the same time, there is a need to protect our women, too. Harassment cases have increased in Punjab, and we need to control them.”