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Saira Samo

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Hilal Her

The Resilient Women of Today‘s Pakistan

October 2024

Women in Pakistan are strong in every sense, bringing honour to themselves, their families, and the country. Even though they face societal challenges and difficulties, they continue to excel and perform at their best. Contemporary Pakistani women have achieved remarkable feats, earning accolades and bringing pride to the nation.



Ayesha Farooq from Bahawalpur, stands as South Asia’s first female war-ready fighter pilot, flying Chinese F-7PG combat planes for the Pakistan Air Force. Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a journalist, activist, and filmmaker, has won two Oscars for her documentaries on acid attack survivors and honour killings. Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a 33-year-old squash player, has received national and international recognition, including the Salaam Pakistan Award. Malala Yousafzai, a vocal advocate for girls’ education, became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2014. Muniba Mazari, an artist, writer, and motivational speaker, continues to inspire women who are wheelchair-bound. Nergis Mavalvala, the Karachi-born quantum astrophysicist, and an MIT professor, contributed to the detection of gravitational waves. A melodious singer, Abida Parveen, the queen of Sufi songs, is a world-recognized lady from a very humble background. A society without women would be like a hollow skeleton; women shape it with their constructive roles in socio economics, politics, education, health, and agriculture. In Pakistani society, we have exemplary women whose contributions enrich the well-being and prosperity of the country. From the pages of history, we remember the noble lady Fatima Jinnah, sister of the founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who played a pivotal role in her brother’s success in creating Pakistan. Initially a dedicated dentist, she later emerged as a political figure, demonstrating her strength as a formidable woman in politics.
Women like Fatima Jinnah characterize how women’s manifold contributions have historically driven societal progress and continue to do so today. Their roles span over various fields, influencing positive change and shaping the nation’s future.
How Did Pakistan’s Independence Contributed to Women’s Empowerment?
Pakistan supports women’s rights across the world and has a long tradition of women leading from the front. Pakistan was the first Muslim nation to have a democratically elected female head of government.



Fatima Jinnah, a driving force in Pakistan’s independence, advocated for women’s rights. Benazir Bhutto, as the first female Prime Minister, shattered barriers and inspired women globally.  Nusrat Bhutto and Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan contributed to social welfare and women’s empowerment. The legacies of these women motivate other women in their pursuit of equality and societal betterment.
Fatima Jinnah played a key role in fighting for women’s rights. Women gained the right to vote in 1947, and this was confirmed in 1956. From 1956 to 1973, women had reserved seats in Parliament. Benazir Bhutto, the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, set an example for the rest of the Muslim world. During her tenure, she focused on women-related issues and introduced women police officers, women banks, vocational centers for women, and many more initiatives for the empowerment of women. She reserved a 5 percent job quota for women.
In the 21st century, driven by the age of science and technology, robots and modern gadgets work for humans, easing our lives. However, one cannot ignore the role of women in this field. Even though science leads today, the human role in operating all the scientific tools is significant. Women play a crucial role alongside men in shaping the scientific world, making it more cohesive and inventive.
Many have excelled in the tech industry, such as the young Arfa Karim Randhawa from Pakistan, who gained recognition as a Microsoft Certified Professional at a remarkably young age. Her competence and skills were acknowledged by none other than Microsoft CEO Bill Gates. Arfa Karim Randhawa represented Pakistan at various prestigious international forums, including the TechEd Developers Conference. In 2005, she was honoured with Pakistan’s highest literary award, the Presidential Pride of Performance, presented by the late President General Pervez Musharraf.
Women of All Ages Contributing to the Representation of Pakistan
The odyssey of women’s empowerment has been ongoing since the creation of Pakistan. From the early days of independence to contemporary times, Pakistani women have continuously challenged socioeconomic disparities, championed gender equality, and redefined their roles in society. Prominent figures like Dr. Atiya Khanum, known for her work in genetics, represent the extraordinary achievements of Pakistani women in science. Pakistani women continue to distinguish themselves in both the social and public sectors. They perform their duties as real heroes of society, earning name and fame domestically and internationally, making their country proud.
We have strong women who are contributing their best for the betterment of society. Some of the names of these superwomen are mentioned here:
Ayesha Malik made history by becoming the first female Supreme Court judge in Pakistan. In sports, women have proven impressive, bringing pride to Pakistan. Perniya Khan is celebrated as a table tennis champion, and Sana Mir is a cricket icon, once the top-ranked ODI bowler.
In academics, women excel and achieve notable distinctions. Zara Naeem Dar gained international recognition by topping the ACCA exams.  Malala Yousafzai is known worldwide for her staunch belief in advocating for girls’ education in Pakistan.
In the defense sector, women stand as a strong force for the country’s safety. Marium Mukhtiar, a Pakistani fighter pilot, died flying a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-7PG aircraft that crashed near Kundian in the Mianwali District of northwestern Punjab, Pakistan. She was the first female Pakistani fighter pilot to embraced martyrdom in the line of duty. Nigar Johar is the first female three-star general in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps. Recently promoted to the rank of brigadier, Dr. Helen Mary Roberts is the first female brigadier from the country’s Christian community.
Many more women serve in various fields as strong daughters of the soil. This includes Amna Baig, Superintendent of Police recognized for her dedicated work on women and gender issues, Dr. Zubaida Sirang, an author featured on the prestigious Book Authority List, Saira Malik, Chief Investment Officer of Nuveen — a global investment manager, Dr. Sarah Qureshi, an aerospace engineer working on developing a contrail-free aircraft engine, Karishma Ali, a football player and entrepreneur named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, and Ayesha Gul, the first female police officer posted as Additional Inspector General (AIG) from Swabi, the first woman in the provincial police force to achieve this honor.



These women have overcome social and cultural barriers, excelling in their fields as role models and catalysts for change. Their dedication and expertise have advanced knowledge and bridged gender gaps.
Women’s Leading Role in the Business Sector
Women entrepreneurs from Pakistan are excelling in diverse sectors. Madeeha Hassan co-founded Savaree, addressing traffic issues and gaining traction in online transactions. Sidra Qasim’s Markhor was accepted into Y Combinator —  an American technology startup accelerator. Arusha Imtiaz expanded MySmacEd into Middle Eastern markets with seed funding and Sahr Said founded BeautyHooked, catering to Pakistan’s beauty services industry.
In parallel, women in Pakistan are increasingly participating in professions such as engineering, law, and medicine, contributing to professional advancements. In media and entertainment, women’s participation continues to grow, evolving societal norms and expanding roles in shaping cultural narratives.
The concept of “Womenomics” promotes the economic benefits of gender equality, empowering women to play crucial roles in advancing the economy. Women in agriculture, education, health, and other fields work tirelessly, demonstrating a determination to drive the nation’s development by producing food, providing education and healthcare, and boosting the economy through small businesses.
The empowerment of women is crucial for the prosperity of the nation. From figures like Fatima Jinnah to current icons like Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistani women continue to break barriers and redefine their roles in society. Their determination not only contributes to the nation’s progress but also inspires future generations to pursue equality and empowerment. While the journey is ongoing, the achievements of these strong women lay a solid foundation for a brighter, more equitable future. HH


 

Saira Samo

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