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Lifestyle

Meet Alishba Khan Barech: An Upcoming Writer from Balochistan

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Every day we come across some amazing and unique individuals who stand out from the crowd. These leaders hunger to do something different, one of them being Alishba Khan Barech.

Barech is a self-published author from Balochistan who penned her debut novel at 11. It’s all the more difficult to publish your work when you live in a location where options are limited.

Despite the hurdles, the young writer published ‘Life Of A Millionaire Girl’  a commentary on society’s obsession with money, and how intangible assets should be given more relevance.

Pakistan’s “As Far As They Can Run” Shortlisted for Oscars After Joyland

During her winter vacations in 7th grade, a plot came to her mind. ‘It was my own creation and so I took a week simply brainstorming. Afterwards, everything was uncanny because the incessant stream of words came pouring in and eventually a whole story developed within my mind which I penned down in one of the diaries my parents had gifted me.’

And shortly afterwards, Alishba Khan Barech became a self-published writer. She was also honored by UNICEF as ‘Trailbalizer Author’.

Alishba also has a second book, The Rattles Of Catastrophe which is also self-published. Surprisingly, Alishba had always struggled with essays and keeping stories within the given word count. ‘I could never shorten any given text as I always wanted to elaborate everything further. Secondly, due to my inclination towards writing, I would wait the whole day for my English language class in school – that was when we did creative writing.’ She had shared in an earlier interview with a local publication.

Alishba had already authored 4 books by her 16th birthday and also won scholarship from Cambridge University for two consecutive years because of the essay competition.

In 2021, as a youth & mental-health ambassador for UNICEF, Alishba opened up about her struggles in writing and publishing a book while residing in a tribal society during her engagement with UNICEF’s global mental health awareness campaign ‘On My Mind’. She discussed her perspectives and potential steps to help those in need with the Regional Director of UNICEF, South Asia, Mr. George Laryea-Adjei.

Residing in a terrorism-ridden area herself, Alishba could resonate with the feelings of so many underprivileged children of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It was, therefore, a responsibility on her shoulders to voice their stories. Hopes & Apprehensions is an anthology of short fictional stories written to honor those children and teenagers. Alishba wrote it when she was 16.

Asides writing books, Alishba also works on her blogs, discussing the evolution of technology and its impact on the current lifestyle. Moreover, she is working on a children’s book, but is waiting for the right time to publish it.
We’d like to take this moment to appreciate Barech and for her hard work. From an early age she has been defying odds and clams to be the youngest self-published author at 16.

According to her recent interview with Properganda, she has completed 6 major books by her 18th birthday and now 2 months away from her 20th birthday, Alishba has completed more than 10 titles. Her future stories will continue talking about her Pashtoon ethnicity, Pakistani nationality and Balochistan as a place of residence, “Furthermore, Islamophobia and Ocean related content, for, I am an ocean manic.” She concluded.

WOW360 Trailblazers’ List for Women Achivers 2022

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as far as they can run
Movies

Pakistan’s “As Far As They Can Run” Shortlisted for Oscars After Joyland

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Following the success and shortlisting of Pakistan’s ‘Joyland’ another name has been nominated at the Oscars. ‘As Far As They Can Run’ is a documentary by Filmmaker and Producer Ziad Zafar.

This is a huge and exciting deal for Pakistan because the last time Pakistan brought home an Oscar was back in 2016 for Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” which explores the custom of honour killings in Pakistan.

The documentary features the lives of 3 differently-abled athletes in rural Pakistan who, despite often inhumane treatment and exclusion by their communities, manage to find some acceptance and a place in society through sports. The 3 young adults join a running program for differently abled youth in Pakistan, hoping to shift perspectives in their rural community.

Zaid took to his Twitter to announce the big news, writing:

Thrilled to make the #Oscars2023 non-fiction shortlist. Our film #AsFarAsTheyCanRun dir by @tanaze is about teenagers with intellectual disabilities who train to represent Pakistan at the @SpecialOlympics.

WOW360 Trailblazers’ List for Women Achivers 2022

One of the athletes in the documentary is Sana, a specially-abled child who trains to take part in the Special Olympics to find acceptance in her family, society, and country.

Director Tanaz Eshaghian says interacting with the teens, families and coaches while directing this film will forever have a special place in her heart. “Rural and impoverished Pakistani life is extremely foreign for most viewers, but the film bridges that gap quietly, bringing out the commonality we have with families struggling to do their best in a world without safety nets. The pain, the challenge, the small moments of connection, hope, and love.”

Fans can watch the documentary on Paramount Plus.

About As Far As They Can Run”

Director: Tanaz Eshaghian

Executive Producer: Sheila Nevins, Mary Davis, Ronak Lakhani, Tim Shriver, Bobby Shriver

Producer: Tanaz Eshaghian, Christoph Jörg; Co-Producer Ziad Zafar

Cinematographer: Nadir Siddiqui

Editor: Per K. Kirkegaard

Language: Urdu

Country: United States of America

Year: 2022

Publicist: The 2050 Group

US Distributor: MTV Documentary Films

What do you think about this documentary? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and all the latest updates.

Pakistani Athlete Samar Khan Conducts Landikotal-Khyber’s First Cycling Camp for Girls

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Lifestyle

Women Can Appeal for Marriage Dissolution on Account of Cruelty: SC

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

According to the Supreme Court’s latest ruling, women can appeal to seek dissolution of marriage upon instances of cruelty by the husband or his family.

The court, in a written judgement, while re-evaluating and reappraising the judgements made by the family court and the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in an appeal for dissolution of marriage filed by Tayyaba Ambreen against her husband Shafaqat Ali Kayani, quashed PHC’s judgement and reinstated family court’s ruling.

The PHC had dissolved the conjugal relationship between the two on grounds of Khula instead of cruelty. As per the tagline of the judgement available on the court’s website:

The dissolution of marriage on the ground of cruelty, the Court must adjudge the intensity and ruthlessness of the acts and examine whether the conduct complained of is not merely a trivial issue which may happen in day-to-day married life, but is of such a nature which no reasonable person can endure. While claiming conjugal rights by a husband in response to the suit for dissolution of marriage, dower, dowry and maintenance, it is also an onerous responsibility of the Court to see whether he is sincerely fulfilling his obligations towards his wife.

The court ruled, “The cruelty alleged may be mental or physical, premeditated or unpremeditated, but lack of intent does not make any distinction. Obviously, if it is a physical act then it would be a question of fact, and in the event of mental cruelty, an enquiry is required to be made as to the nature of the cruel treatment to find out the impact or repercussions thereof on the mind of the spouse. Mental cruelty can be largely delineated as a course of conduct which perpetrates mental pain with such severity and harshness that it would be impossible for that party to continue the matrimonial tie or live together.”

In Pakistan, women have the right to seek protection from domestic violence and abuse. The country has several laws and policies in place to safeguard the rights of women, including the Protection of Women against Violence Act (PWVA) 2016 and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act (DVPA) 2012.

Under the PWVA, women have the right to seek protection orders from the courts to prevent further abuse by their husbands or other family members. These orders can require the abuser to stay away from the victim, refrain from contacting her, and pay compensation for any damages or losses from the abuse.

The PWVA also provides for the establishment of protection centres and shelters, which offer safe and secure accommodation for women who have experienced domestic violence.

In addition, the DVPA provides for establishing Domestic Violence Committees at the district level to resolve domestic violence and abuse disputes. These committees can provide legal, social, and psychological support to women who have experienced abuse, and can also help them access services such as medical care and counselling.

It is important for women who are experiencing domestic violence or abuse in Pakistan to seek help and support from local authorities, such as the police or social welfare departments, or NGOs and other organizations that support victims of domestic violence.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and updates.

WOW360 Trailblazers’ List for Women Achivers 2022

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Wedding Playlist 2022
Music

Ultimate Wedding Playlist for 2022 to Dance the Night Away

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Wedding season is at its peak, and everyone is gearing up, buying fancy clothes, matching jewellery and footwear to dance the night away.

Weddings are a special time for families as everyone comes together to celebrate the couple and bless them for the life ahead. To add a bit more excitement, entertainment, zeal and zest, we’ve compiled a list of party songs for the family to enjoy.

The playlist features songs from Pakistan and across the border that will add a magical touch to all events. So, without further ado, here’s our ultimate wedding playlist for 2022:

Mehndi Playlist 2022

When it comes to the Mehandi ceremony, there are certain things that make the celebration more enthralling and joyous, and out of those things, mehndi songs for the wedding are the foremost ones. The right mehndi songs playlist can supercharge the whole environment and propel everyone to shake a leg and show some crazy dance moves.

Here’s our list of the evergreen numbers for your special event:

1. Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna – DDLJ

2. Maahi Ve – Kal Ho Naa Ho

3. Gal Mithi Mithi Bol – Aisha

4. Mehndi – Haroon

5. Mehndi – Jawad Ahmed

6. Likh Ke Mehndi Se Sajna Ka Naam – Anuradha Paudwal

7. Sadi Gali – Tanu Weds Manu

5 Pro Tips to Ace the Dopamine Dressing Trend at Weddings

8. Lathe Di Chadar

9. Lal Ghagra – Sahara

10. Aya Lariye – Meesha Shafi & Naeem Abbas Rufi

11. Baazi – Sahir Ali Bagga & Aima Baig

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Social Issues

National Working Women’s Day: The Importance of Starting Lean In Circles in Pakistan

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

National Working Women’s Day is a public holiday in Pakistan that is observed on December 22nd each year. The holiday was established to honour and recognize the contributions of working women in Pakistan and to promote gender equality in the workplace.

One way to support working women in Pakistan and promote gender equality is by starting Lean In Circles. Lean In Circles are small groups of people who meet regularly to support and empower each other to achieve their goals. These circles are based on the principles outlined in Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.”

Sheryl Sandberg is an American business executive, author, and philanthropist. She is currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Facebook, a position she has held since 2008. Prior to joining Facebook, Sandberg served as the Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google.

In addition to her work in the tech industry, Sandberg is also known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of gender equality and education. She is the founder of the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation, which works to advance gender equality and improve access to education and opportunities for women and girls.

Starting Lean In Circles in Pakistan can be especially important because women in Pakistan often face barriers to career advancement and face discrimination in the workplace. Lean In Circles can provide a supportive environment where women can share their experiences, offer each other encouragement, and learn from one another’s successes and challenges.

In addition to providing support and empowerment, Lean In Circles can also be a powerful tool for building networks and fostering professional development. By participating in a Lean In Circle, women can connect with other like-minded individuals and gain access to new opportunities and resources that can help them advance in their careers.

Overall, starting Lean In Circles in Pakistan can be a valuable way to support working women and promote gender equality in the country. By providing a supportive and empowering environment, Lean In Circles can help women overcome barriers and achieve their professional goals.

Importance of Gender Equality in Pakistan

Gender equality is important for every country, including Pakistan, because it is a fundamental human right and a necessary condition for achieving a just and equitable society. When women and men have equal opportunities and rights, everyone benefits.

In Pakistan, promoting gender equality is particularly important because women in the country often face barriers to education, employment, and political participation. According to the World Bank, Pakistan has one of the lowest rates of female labour force participation in the world, and women in Pakistan are often paid less than men for the same work.

Moreover, Pakistan ranks second-worst out of 146 countries for gender equality. Pakistan is home to 107 million women, yet when it comes to closing the gender gap, the country is still struggling.

Promoting gender equality in Pakistan can have a number of positive impacts, including:

  1. Improved economic growth: When women have equal opportunities to participate in the workforce and contribute to the economy, it can lead to increased economic growth and development.
  2. Improved health outcomes: Gender equality can also lead to improved health outcomes for women, as it can give them more control over their own health and reproductive choices.
  3. Improved social cohesion: Promoting gender equality can also help to reduce social tensions and promote more inclusive and cohesive societies.

Pakistan Ranks 2nd Worst Country for Gender Equality

We hope that organisations, women, and men realize the importance of gender equality and how helpful these circles are.
Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Stay tuned to WOW360.
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Celebrities

Ayesha Omar Talks About Believing Survivors of Sexual Abuse

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

In a recent interview, Pakistani actress Ayesha Omar opened up about her personal experience of being sexually abused and why it is all the more important for people to believe in survivors.

During the emotional conversation, Omar talked about the existence of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. While speaking about naming and shaming those involved, Omar said:

“I don’t want because of me someone else suffers, so as far as I can help it I will not jump on the bandwagon”.

During the popular controversy of the Meesha Shafi and Ali Zafar case, she said that when Meesha first spoke about the case, the journalists had started to bombard her because she was a judge on ‘Battle of the Bands’.

“When Misha came out with her statement I was the first person who got approached by journalists because I was judging the show “Battle of the Bands”.

“About Meesha I said I have not spoken to her right now but I am sure if something has happened to her she will speak the truth”.

Continuing his conversation, Omar added that nobody wants to be associated with the backlash and other forms of abuse associated.

The actress opened up about her own experience of how she was a victim of sexual abuse at the age of 13. While speaking about the experience in the past, she shared:

“A huge powerful man, twice my age. I had just entered the industry, I was this young 23-year-old, fresh out of college, and bam, this started happening. And it went on for years,” she shared.

“It wasn’t a one-off incident, and I just didn’t want to process it. I put it in a box, and I said okay, this is happening in my life, I have to deal with it. I didn’t wanna share it with anybody. I let it stay there for 15 years, and I finally spoke about it to someone two years ago.”

“A friend of mine from the industry also came out with her story, and TV channels started calling me up and asking ‘Do you think she’s telling the truth?'” Ayesha told actor and director Rose McGowan, who opened up about her struggle in 2017, 20 years after she was assaulted by Harvey Weinstein, the now disgraced American producer.

“And I said ‘I would believe any victim’. They asked me if sexual harassment happens in the industry and that’s the first time I said yes. They asked if it happened to me, and I said yes. I will talk about it someday, but not today. I still haven’t named my monster but I’ve started talking about it,” Omar said.

Rose also mentioned how her own activism too started way before the Weinstein incident.”I’m really about men and women seeing each other as human, and not through gender,” she concluded.

Have you faced a similar issue? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and updates.

WOW360 Trailblazers’ List for Women Achivers 2022

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Education

Pakistani Female Scientists from Bahawalpur Ranked Among World’s Top 2%

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Pakistan is celebrating the achievement of 13 scientists (including 2 women) from Bahawalpur who have ranked in the world’s top 2% of scientists, doctors, engineers, and mathematicians from around the world.

The list was compiled by Stanford University in which the renowned institute names the top 2000 scientists in different domains in the world every year.

Moreover, all 13 scientists are associated with the Islamia University Bahawalpur. The 2 female scientists who have been featured in this list are Prof Dr Rubina Bhatti, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences and Dr Ismat Bibi, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry.

In recent years, a large number of scientists and researchers from the Islamia University of Bahawalpur have been included in this list, which is a clear manifestation of the Islamia University Bahawalpur’s global standards in research.

The university took to social media to share the news of the student’s hard work and their own accomplishment with followers.

WOW360 Trailblazers’ List for Women Achivers 2022

The other scientists on the list include  Prof. Dr. Saeed Ahmed, Chairman Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akhtar, Chairman of the Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Altaf, Chairman of Green Healthcare System, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Prof. Dr. Zaheer Abbas, Department of Mathematics, Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Dr. Muhammad Azhar Khan, Associate Professor, Institute of Physics, Dr. Ghulam Abbas, Department of Mathematics, Dr. Mohammad Adil, Department of Chemistry, Dr. Abdul Rehman, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Mohammad Farooq Warsi, Department of Chemistry and Faisal Zulfikar, Department of Horticulture Sciences. On the occasion Engr. Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice Chancellor of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Deans congratulated these amazing contributors.

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) is a public sector university in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, which was originally established by His Highness Nawab Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi – V as the Jamia Abbasia in 1925. The University has five campuses. Abbasia Campus, Baghdad-ul-Jadeed Campus and Khawaja Fareed Campus are located in Bahawalpur and two sub-campuses are situated in Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.

At present around 1800 teachers including 550 PhDs are serving to provide the latest and quality education. Apart from conventional disciplines of religious affairs, languages, social and basic sciences, are being imparted in the areas of Allied Health Sciences, Agriculture, Business Administration, Computing, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Information Technology, Law, Pharmacy, Sports and Veterinary Sciences.

IUB has various notable academicians, journalists, jurists, lawyers, literary figures, politicians and sportspeople, among others as its alumni. The University values quality teaching and research compatible with national needs focusing on the IUB core values –Tolerance, Honesty, Eco-friendly, Innovative, Understanding and being Beneficial.

NCS Peshawar Bashed by Social Media for Singer’s ‘Vulgar Dance’ & ‘Revealing Dress’

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Lifestyle

Sindh Govt. Announces Pink Taxi Cab Services for Women in Karachi

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

To provide ease and affordable transport along with safety and security reassurance to women in Karachi, Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has announced to launch blue and pink-coloured taxis.

While talking to the media, the minister shared that the pink taxis will be driven by women for women and cameras will also be installed in the vehicle for safety purposes. Moreover, this decision has been proposed by FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

He shared:

“The government is going to start the electrical vehicle (EV) taxi services in Karachi. We have principally agreed to start this taxi service under the Sindh Mass Transit Authority,” adding that pink tax service for women will be launched in the first phase.

“We will start with the pink taxi service, which would only be for women passengers in Karachi. The drivers of the pink taxis will also be women,”

The minister added that the electric taxi services would be safer, more affordable, and more comfortable for the citizens of the metropolis as compared to regular taxi and ride-hailing services. Given the rising inflation and hike in gas prices, women will be able to commute in a pocket-friendly manner without having to worry about their surroundings.

Back in October, a women-only free-of-cost bus service had been launched in Gilgit-Baltistan. The pink bus service, inaugurated by Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed, is operating on four key routes in Gilgit and Skardu between 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Gilgit-Baltistan Announce Launch of its Free Women-Only Bus Service

This news was announced on the official Twitter handle of Cheif Security, who tweeted:

“Great news for our daughters, sisters and mothers of Gilgit Baltistan. InshaAllah soon we will be starting a free-of-cost women-only bus service in Gilgit and Skardu during the peak hours on high rush routes. Now you can travel in a safe and comfortable environment and go freely to your schools, universities, colleges, hospitals, clinics and markets. Another landmark event by the Government of GB for the public. Starting first in Gilgit city and Skardu City.”

Social media users have applauded this initiative saying that not only will it help women with transport costs in such thought times but will also encourage and empower them to go to school, offices, clinics, hospitals, markets, and travel for business purposes.

What do you think about this initiative? Will having pink taxis make a difference? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for all the latest news and the latest updates.

Meet Shiza Ilyas, Pakistan’s First Polio Worker Who Rides Her Bike to Deliver Drops

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Ms Marvel
TV

Ms Marvel’s ‘Time and Again’ Picked by Hollywood Reporter TV Critics as one of the Best Episodes of 2022

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Hollywood Reporter TV critics recently shared a list of their favourite episodes from instalments that came out this year. After binge-watching lots and lots of shows, they came to a final conclusion, which includes Ms Marvel’s ‘Time and Again’.

Time and Again is the 5th episode of the Ms Marvel series, which was directed by Pakistan’s one and only Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and starring Iman Vellani.

In the episode, the bangle reveals to Kamala secrets about her family lineage, as well as the truth behind the Veil. The episode has other Pakistani superstars including Mehwish Hayat, Nimra Bucha, Fawad Khan, and Samina Ahmed.

For Sharmeen, the series and the episode are very close to her heart. Not only did we get the backstory of the bangle and the origin of its superpowers, but we also got to take a look at the Indo-Pak partition and the emotions surrounding it in depth.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker shared her two cents about it with POPSUGAR. She said:

I’ve been creating films and telling stories from around the world about women who have extraordinary abilities like working in healthcare and education and climate change in their communities. And I just think of them as superheroes without capes.

The relationship between Kamala and her grandmother is so special. I’ve grown up with that exact same storytelling with my own grandmother. Partition and the 1947 story is so ingrained in all of our lives. It’s this big historical moment that we read about in our textbooks, but we’ve never seen it picturised in the manner that we are doing it in Ms. Marvel.

Ms Marvel Episode 5: Kamala Khan Explores Her Pakistani Roots as Fawad Khan & Mehwish Hayat’s Untold Story Comes to Light in the backdrop of Partition

On the other hand, The Hollywood Reporter TV critics pen down that ‘Ms. Marvel makes indelible the Partition of India by tapping into the deeply personal wounds inflicted by that historical event, and by underlining the ways its consequences have echoed through generations of South Asian families.’

Moreover, the tearjerking twist, in which Kamala Khan finds out that she is the one who helps her grandmother reunite with her father while feeling the emotional loss of Aisha. Kamala’s powers bring her closer to her culture as well as her family as she gets a chance to have a better and more clear bond with her mother.

The critics end on the note that the episode has expanded ‘our ideas of who a Marvel superhero can be.’ We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Sharmeen and her team for giving the Marvel universe and us the first Pakistani superhero. We also hope that we see her name associated with larger projects that will place Pakistan on the map in a different light

Stay tuned to WOW360.

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FeaturedTrailblazer

WOW360 Trailblazers’ List for Women Achivers 2022

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

The year 2022 has been full of many surprises for Pakistanis, our fellow trailblazers represented Pakistan nationally and globally and conquered new heights, some faced their worst fears and came out victorious, while others explored ventures.

To bring this year to an end while keeping these milestones in mind, WOW360 has compiled its annual list of trailblazers who have paved the way for future generations by contributing to their homeland.

Pakistan has always been labelled as a country that limits women, but these remarkable ladies have proven otherwise. Be it the weather, society, or tough luck, they have gone against all odds to prove that they deserve to be here and that there is still a long way to go.

Without further ado, here are the WOW360 Trailblazers of 2022:

Art

Ayesha Kamal

Based in Lahore, Kamal is an Islamic calligrapher widely recognized for her work. Recently, her work was displayed at the  ‘Contemporary Art of Pakistan’ at The National Library of Belarus. She has been painting beautiful canvases, filling them with colour, energy, and much more for 10 years. According to Kamal, she tries to emphasise the message of the Holy Quran through her art as she believes that the soul is connected to calligraphy whether one can understand what is written or not.

Shahzia Sikander

Pakistani-American artist Shahzia Sikander recently won the Fukuoka Arts Award and is based in New York with a background in B.F.A. (1991) from the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan. Shahzia Sikander’s work is hanging on the walls of several galleries including the Sean Kelly Gallery. She is an expert in pre-modern and classical Central and South-Asian miniature painting, also called neo-miniature.

Marium Agha

Recently, Agha’s ‘Hear Hear’ won South Asia’s biggest art prize –  the Sovereign Asian Art Prize in Hong Kong. Pakistani contemporary visual artist Marium Agha bagged this year’s Public Vote Prize. Marium’s art portrayed at the exhibit is rooted in the cultural importance of embroidery in Pakistan. She is an amazingly talented artist who has represented Pakistan and has made us very proud of her accomplishment.

Aviation

Huma Batool

Syeda Huma Batool is a Pakistani businesswoman and the owner, first female chairperson of Alvir Airways and the managing director of Vantage Laboratories. She has been awarded numerous recognitions and honorary awards in regard to her services for various causes. She is also a writer, and a poetess and has immense fondness for English, Persian and Punjabi mystic poets.

Business & Finance

Ayla Majid

Pakistan’s very own Ayla Majid is the first ever South Asian woman to become the Vice-President of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Majid was elected as the new Vice President after earlier serving as a member of the ACCA Global Council. Moreover, she was honoured as a Young Global Leader by World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Future Council on Energy Transition.

Civil Servants (Law Enforcement)

Nosheen Kanwal

Kanwal is the first female SHO of the Railways Police Station in Lahore. She has received this honour under the policy of IG Railways to promote the participation of woman officers in the field posting, as per SP Railways Maaz Zafar. It is brave and competent officers like Kanwal who pave way for women in the police force and show the world that they are no less than their male counterparts.

ADC Nowshera Qurat Al-Ain Wazir

ADC Nowshera Qurat Al-Ain Wazir received massive praise on social media for showing quick thinking and making logical decisions that helped save many lives during the Pakistan Floods. She timely evacuated residents with the help of her dedicated team and went door-to-door in an attempt to rescue families. Her efforts along with her team are what helped keep the loss of life and damages at a minimum during the emergency.

Ayesha Zehri

Zehri also made waves by becoming the first female Deputy Commissioner of Baluchistan, Naseerabad. Previously, Zehri was performing her duties as the Assistant Commissioner Mach Bolan. As per reports, this posting has come straight from the directives of Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo.

Just hours before this major announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif applauded her for her effective role in supporting the flood-affected people in Mach Bolan. He clapped for her in recognition of her contribution to the countrymen in their time of need.

Manisha Ropeta

Manisha Ropeta, a 26-year-old from Jacobabad broke stereotypes, and her success has been an inspiration to women across the board. She is the first Hindu deputy superintendent of police (DSP) of Sindh with distinctions in the public service examination. After her success, her sister has already started following her steps to join the police force and serve her country. We hope that everyone would recognize her exemplary conduct, performance, and outstanding performance.

Sobia Khanum

This year, Balochistan appointed its first female SHO – Sobia Khanam. Khanum was appointed by Abdul Khaliq Sheikh as an officer-in-charge at the Cantt Police Station in Quetta. The IGP, on this occasion, stated that women officers were performing their duties with professionalism. Moreover, the Balochistan Government inaugurated the province’s first women’s police station in March of this year.

Dr. Anoosh Masood

Dr. Anoosh Masood Chaudhry made history by becoming the first female to be appointed as SSP Operations Lahore. She has served in Lahore as SP in Cantonment and Model Town police divisions, besides serving as an assistant superintendent (ASP). After doing MBBS first, she became a doctor, and then she took the CSS exam. After clearing the CSS, she became the first female ASP of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Syeda Uzma Shah

Syeda Uzma Shah is the first ever woman to have been pointed as the district food controller of Mansehra, KPK. Ms Shah who previously holds the title of first-ever female assistant commissioner in the province in 2015, says that she has worked hard to prove that women can work as hard as if not better than men.

Culinary Arts

Hina Shoaib

Hina Shoaib has created history as the first-ever female chef from Pakistan to win the honour of winning 3rd place at the Jeddah International Chef Competition. Shoaib represented Pakistan at the international competition and showed her culinary skills. Her meals left a positive impression on the judges and she secured her way to the top 3.

Engineering

Amna Baig

Amna Mustabeen Baig is the first Pakistani woman to join Koenigsegg Automotives as a Manufacturing Engineer. Previously, Farukh Kamran, a graduate of UET became a part of the Swedish hypercar brand. Koenigsegg Automotive AB is a Swedish manufacturer of high-performance sports cars based in Sweden and is famous for manufacturing the world’s fastest car priced at around $3 million.

Film & Entertainment Industry

Mehwish Hayat

Hayat is one of the most well-known names in the industry and across Pakistan, and now, she is also a celebrated Marvel Studio icon as well. Mehwish Hayat starred with Fawad Khan in Ms. Marvel, the first-ever Pakistani superhero in the Marvel Universe. She acting has received praise from fans here and across the borders. Hayat has significantly contributed to Pakistan’s entertainment industry with hits like Punjab Nahi Jaungi, Load Wedding, and many more.

Sarwat Gillani

Sarwat Gillani has made waves with her outstanding performances in the globally-acclaimed movie Joyland, along with Qatil Haseenaon ke Naam, Churails, and many more. She has represented Pakistan through her projects on international projects and has proved to be a versatile actor who can play any role you throw her way.

Nimra Bucha

Nimra Bucha starred in Ms Marvel alongside Mehwish Hayat and Sarwat Gillani in Churails. She was also in Sarmad Khoosat’s Kamli starring Saba Qamar. Bucha has appeared in a variety of TV serials, films, and web series and has also worked in theatre. Shy has not shied away from playing powerful and stereotypical roles on screen.

Pakistani Women Including Mehwish Hayat & Nimra Bucha Dazzle the Red Carpet at Sharmeen Obaid’s Ms Marvel Premiere

Mahira Khan

The Humsafar famed diva is one of the biggest national and international names in Pakistan. Khan has had the pleasure of working with megastars from Humayun Saeed to Fawad Khan, Shah Rukh Khan to Fahad Mustafa. She has made some of the biggest names in the global entertainment industry such as Hrithik Roshan and Ranveer Kapoor her fan.

Mahira’s ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ is Pakistan’s first biggest hit to cross Rs. 100 crore club. In 2018 she made it to Cannes, was named ambassador for UN Human Commission, has dominated the Sexiest Asian Women’s List, and has many more features to her cap.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Two-time Academy Award-winning director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has director episodes 4 & 5 of the Ms Marvel series for Disney+. She is the first Pakistani filmmaker to introduce the first Pakistani female superhero from the Marvel universe. Ms  Marvel’s depiction of Pakistan and South Asian history is rooted in authenticity and is devoid of stereotypes.

Ms Marvel’s ‘Time and Again’ Picked by Hollywood Reporter TV Critics as one of the Best Episodes of 2022

Healthcare

Dr Tasnim Ahsan

Dr. Tasnim Ahsan became the first Endocrinologist from the country to be awarded the Endocrine Society’s prestigious Laureate Award 2023. The award celebrates the success of endocrine researchers and clinicians worldwide, and Pakistan’s Dr Ahsan is one of them. She is also Professor Emerita at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and the founding dean of the Medicell Institute of Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism in Karachi.

She established two new sub-specialities in the Department of Medicine at JPMC i.e, Endocrinology and Rheumatology and was a member of the Pakistan Medical Research Council Advisory Board on Medicine and served as the Dean, of Faculty of Endocrinology at the College of Physicians & Surgeons.

Rozina Karmaliani

Dr. Rozina Karmaliani is the first Pakistani nurse to be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), effective from October 29, 2022, in Washington, DC. Karmaliani is the Dean of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM).

Moreover, she is the first alumna dean to have been associated with the Aga Khan University for nearly 3 decades serving the institution in various leadership, research and academic capacities. Besides Pakistan, she has worked for the development and promotion of higher education in nursing in East Africa, Afghanistan, Syria and Egypt.

Dr. Mahwish Sharif

Dr. Mahwish Sharif is the First Doctor in Balochistan with a Hearing Impairment. At the age of 4, Sharif lost her hearing due to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) due to eardrum damage. She overcame years of prejudice by finishing medical school and being appointed at the only health facility in the provincial capital Quetta for respiratory and viral diseases, Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital, as a doctor.

Dr Kashmala Amjad Malik

Dr Kashmala Amjad Malik is Pakistan’s first woman surgical oncologist. As per Dr Kashmala’s LinkedIn profile, she is based in Lahore District, Punjab, Pakistan but hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial capital of Peshawar. Malik is also an alumnus of Agha Khan University. At AKU, she completed her education in General Surgery. She passed the second fellowship examination in Surgical Oncology from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital (Accredited by CPSP) in Lahore.

I.T

Jehan Ara

Jehan Ara is a Pakistani businesswoman who was the President of P@SHA for over 20 years. She resigned at the end of April 2021 to start Katalyst Labs a startup accelerator and women’s leadership program. She also headed the Nest i/o a startup incubator supported by Google and Samsung.

She is known as the Queen of the IT sector in Pakistan and has helped countless startups reach massive heights over the years. Jehan Ara is a passionate, dedicated, kind-hearted community leader and motivator. She is a symbol of success and determination for Pakistani women who wish to set into the world of technology. She has received the Pride of Pakistan award for her contributions by President Arif Alvi.

WOW360 Throwback: 20 Competent Pakistani Women Who Received Civil Awards in 2022

Nida Farid

Nida Farid is a graduate of Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Master in Mechanical Engineering from ETHZurich, Switzerland. She is a Pride of Pakistan recipient and has proved that with hard work and dedication, women can conquer the world. Nida has made an immense contribution to the field of aerospace engineering since her graduation.

Maria Umar

Maria Umar is the Founder and President of the Women’s Digital League – a social enterprise founded in 2009 with the aim to provide digital literacy training and work to Pakistani women. Since then, Umar has been working for the economic empowerment of women. She has been featured on renowned platforms for her work including Forbes, Mashable, CNBC, and more. Maria is also serving as the Project Manager for WomenX, a World Bank-supported training program for women in business.

Journalism

Bina Shah

Distinguished writer and journalist Bina Shah was presented the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Letters by the  Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey earlier this year. Mr Galey highlighted note-worthy compliments of Shah and shared that she returned to Pakistan after acquiring her higher education in the US.

Since then, she has contributed a tremendous amount because of her passion for literature. She has published no less than two collections of short stories and five novels, among which there’s the bestseller Slum Child published in 2011 and A Season for Martyrs in 2014.

Her written work on major social issues has highlighted not only the need for improvement but also highlighted the beauty of the country on its own. Bina Shah is an advocate for girl education and women’s rights as well. She has spoken out loud for the support for the millions of women and their families that have been displaced by the recent floods as well.

Law & Order

Justice Ayesha Malik

Justice Ayesha Malik created history when she was sworn in as a supreme court judge. She became the first Pakistani woman to receive this honour, despite the fact that her nomination was intensely opposed by lawyers. She has now become the Supreme Court judge for the next 10 years (till 2031) and will become Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) after the retirement of Justice Yahya Afridi in January 2030.

Zahrah Vayani

Barrister Zahrah Sehr Vayani is the first female from Pakistan to be elected at Lincoln’s Inn. Vayani runs her own law firm – Zahra S. Vayani & Associates, she practices (not limited to) employment, family, property, human rights, criminal, banking and intellectual property law. Moreover, Vayani is also the founding member and CEO of the Women Lawyers Association.

Sana Khurshid Sana Khurshid took to Twitter in 2021 to talk about her journey, the accident, and the title of becoming Pakistan’s first specially-abled lawyer. A car accident in 2002 left Sana Khurshid paralyzed from the neck down. Moreover, Khurshid lost her sister in a horrible accident. It took a number of months for her to fight against infections, ventilators, tubes, and all sorts of emergency situations before she became stable.

Music

Eva B

Eva B is a Pakistani hip-hop rapper and singer. She comes from a Baloch family, and writes and sings in Balochi and Urdu. Eva B became the first Balochi artist to be featured at Times Square and has represented Pakistan on an international level. She made waves when she made her Coke Studio debut with Kaifi Khalil and Abdul Wahab Bugti in the popular Balochi track titled ‘Kanna Yari’. The Balochi rapper is also known for her signature style of keeping her face veiled while donning cultural attire.

Arooj Aftab

Pakistani singer, composer, and producer Arooj Aftab has made us proud by becoming the first-ever Pakistani artist to bring home a Grammy. Aftab was also featured in Times Square and also is the first Pakistani artist to perform at Coachella, a music festival in California. Moreover, the crooner has been nominated for the Grammys for the second year in a row for her song ‘Udhero Na’ with Anoushka Shankar in the Best Global Music Performance category.

It’s Sad That it Took a Grammy for My Music to be Worthwhile: Arooj Aftab

Shae Gill

Shae Gill aka the Pasoori Girl rocked the nation with her Coke Studio hit. Not only was Pasoori at #1 in Pakistan, but the song also made its way across borders and around the world and was loved by hundreds of thousands of fans including a rendition by the famous Arijit Singh. So much so, Pasoori became the most streamed Pakistani song of 2022. Gill is also a Spotify EQUAL ambassador and has been featured on Times Square. She has been dubbed the  “Dua Lipa of Pakistan” and we can’t wait to hear what else she has in store for us.

Politics

First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi

First Lady Begum Samina Arif Alvi is more than the President’s wife, she is a gem of a person who has been contributing towards women’s empowerment by contributing to the healthcare sector of Pakistan. She has constantly stressed bringing change in the mental approach towards differently-abled persons in society and promoting their inclusion, acceptability and accessibility in all walks of life.

Hina Rabbani Khar

Hina Rabbani Khar is a Pakistani politician, who is serving as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs since 19 April 2022. She was previously appointed in July 2011 as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan at the age of 33, she was the youngest person and the first woman to have held the position. Khar recently made headlines after she was sent to conduct dialogue with the Taliban on behalf of Pakistan.

Sherry Rehman

Rehman has been speaking out loud for the world to hear about Pakistan’s suffering due to climate change. The Federal Minister for Climate Change was also named of the Financial Times’ ’25 most influential women of 2022’. The first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon wrote Sherry Rehman’s profile. In her words, Sturgeon called Rehman a “negotiator with grit”, and praised her powerful communication skills. Moreover, Rehman represented Pakistan amongst global leaders at COP27.

Senator Fatima Payman

Fatima Payman created history by becoming the first Hijabi woman elected as a senator in Australia. The 27-year-old gave her first-ever speech, and won several hearts around the globe and on the internet! In her speech, Payman encouraged young Muslim women who live in Australia and even around the world to embrace the Hijab as their identity, and to wear it with pride.

Social Activism

Azima Dhanjee

Being a child of a deaf adult, Azima Dhanjee grew up with the realization that it is very difficult for parents with special needs to communicate with their children, let alone with other people. In an attempt to make life easier for them and other Pakistanis who faced the same problem, she founded ConnectHear the largest Deaf accessibility service provider in South Asia with a major focus on technology.

Since then, her efforts have been recognized on national and international platforms. Azima has received the Diana Award, also with several other recognitions, and is invited to global events to talk about her journey and how she has been empowering thousands of individuals through her platform.

Hani Baloch

Belonging to Lyari, Karachi, Hani Baloch is a human rights activist and trainer of fundamental basic rights. She was an appointed researcher at the Sindh Commission on the status of women in the Government of Sindh. She takes a keen interest in sports and is Vice-Chairperson at Jafa Girls Football Academy Lyari. Hani is passionate about women’s empowerment and believes that the nexus of change will come from collective behavioural awareness in men.

Tanzila Khan

Tanzila Khan has become Pakistan’s pride, she is the first-ever recipient of the Prince’s Trust International Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award, sponsored by Charlotte Tilbury. Khan is making a difference for young girls in Pakistan by breaking stereotypes. No matter how many challenges she had to face along the way, Khan has defied all odds and has left us in awe.

Exclusive: Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award Winner Tanzila Khan Makes Major Announcements

Sarah Ahmad

Sarah Ahmad recently won the Heros Gala by Global Collaborative in Rome, Italy for services in preventing kids’ exploitation. This is a great honour for Pakistan, as Sarah gets recognized for her services to Children’s Safety and Welfare. Ahmad is the Chairperson of the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau (CPB). The CPB chairperson said receiving the award was an honour for her and for Pakistan as well. She said that she had dedicated the Award to all children of Pakistan.

Sports

Bismah Maroof

The Pakistani cricketer and mother of a gorgeous baby girl has widely contributed to the sports industry. Maroof has made significant contributions from the green team’s end which has often taken her team down the path of victory. The left-handed batter is also the leading runs scorer in One Day International cricket for Pakistan, scoring 3,017 runs in 117 innings at an average of 30.17, including 18 half-centuries.

Anita Karim

Karim is Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter who has proudly represented the country in multiple national and international competitions. She made headlines recently after her marvellous knock-out against her Australian counterpart. Moreover, Anita is the only female Pakistani MMA fighter to have fought, let alone win at the world-famous Lumpinee Stadium.

Here’s How Pakistan’s First Female MMA Athlete Anita Karim is Making Us Proud!

Naila Kiani

Naila Kiani is a Dubai-based Pakistani banker, amateur boxer, rock climber, and mountaineer. Just a couple of months ago, Kiani became the first Pakistani woman to scale 3 peaks over 8,000 meters. She is also the second Pakistani woman to climb K2, and the first female Pakistani mountaineer to climb the world’s 13th-highest mountain, Gasherbrum II.

Samar Khan

Samar Khan recently became the first-ever person and only female athlete to summit and snowboard on a virgin peak (5,610 meters). In honour of her achievement, the peak has been named ‘Ghar-e-Samar’. Moreover, Khan has also successfully conducted the first-ever cycling camp in the history of Landikotal-Khyber. More than 15 girls experienced the joy of cycling because of her initiative.

Haniya Minhas

At the mere age of 11, Haniya Minhas has accomplished something not many people can at her age or even in adulthood.  Minhas created history by defeating Tunisia in her final group match to become the first Pakistani to be ranked in the Top 3 Asian Tennis Sports. Moreover, she won the ‘‘Europe Singles Under 14 Adana Cup Turkey Championship’ that took place in Turkey earlier this year.

Fatima Sana

Pakistani pacer Fatima Sana became the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) “Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2021”. She also became the first woman to win an ICC accolade by achieving the title. The ICC issued a statement on the occasion saying that Sana has “shown good power and range as a lower-order batter too. Batting at No.8, she has registered impressive scores of 28*, 22*, and 17* against strong sides like West Indies, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, respectively.”

Abiha Haider

Abiha Haider is Pakistan’s youngest female footballer to be featured in FIFA’s female heroes documentary. At the mere age of 13, Abiha joined the national team Pakistan. She followed her passion despite the obstacles in her path due to the lack of opportunities for women in sports in Pakistan. At the age of 14, she was invited to the Sports United Exchange program. Quickly she garnered fame for herself with her outstanding performance and dedication.

Transgender Activists

Alina Khan

Alina Khan is a Pakistani transgender actress mostly known for her debut film Darling and her feature film Joyland 2022. From Lahore, Khan faced societal discrimination due to being transgender, but she never let this come in her way. Her movie Joyland received global recognition and clenched a number of awards including the Jury Prize – Un Certain Regard, Golden Pram for Best Feature Film, and Fathy Farag Prize for Best Artistic Contribution, among many more.

‘My own brother would lock me outside the house’ Trans Actor Alina Khan

Dr Mehrub Awan Moiz

Trans activist and popular social media influencer Mehrub Moiz is a prominent face of the trans community as a leading activist. A researcher, and policy specialist by profession, she has never shied away from speaking her mind out on social media. She has always spoken for the members of the Khawajasira community, has been vocal about women’s rights, and has raised awareness about transphobia.

Bubbli Malik

Bubbli Malik is a prominent transgender activist and a guru (traditional elder) of her community in Rawalpindi. She is also a Master Trainer who has been a part of #UNDPinPakistan’s capacity-building initiatives. She has been working for transgender rights and empowerment for many years. Moreover, she created history by becoming the first-ever trans individual to become a spokesperson at the National Assembly.

We’d like to give a round of applause for all these amazing women who have carved their names in history. These women are heroes and deserve to be widely celebrated and recognised.

Stay tuned to WOW360.

WOW360 Trailblazer’s List for Women Achievers 2021

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