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Bina Shah
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Writer & Journalist Bina Shah Awarded Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Letters

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

The Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey, presented the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Letters to distinguished writer and journalist Bina Shah.

While speaking at the occasion, 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.

Moreover, he added that Shah’s feminist commitment and roots in the city of Karachi described so well in her books, her internationally recognised literary career and her dedication to the French language and culture were some of the reasons for honouring her.

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.

Shah thanked the ambassador for his kind words and shared that she started learning French at the age of 12, went to the US for studies and carried on learning. She returned in 1995 and ever since the Alliance Francaise has been home to her. Her love for the French language continues – a language that very few speak because we have no historical ties to France “except for its beauty, except for the principles and values that France represents.”

I was inspired by her (Anne Ernaux) when she said it’s not only an honour but a responsibility. That’s how I feel. I promise that I will carry it [insignia] with the respect that it deserves, I promise to work to bring the two cultures [French and Pakistani] together. I’ve always felt that cultural diplomacy is the way that countries build bridges. -Bina Shah

We congratulate Shah for receiving this great honour and hope she continues to break the glass ceiling.

Stay tuned to WOW360.

Meet Zahida Qureshi: A Pakistani Woman Changing Lives of Countless Others

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Dr Tasnim Ahsan
EducationFeaturedTrailblazer

Dr Tasnim Ahsan Becomes First Pakistani Endocrinologist to Win Laureate Award

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

In a first, Pakistan’s very own Dr. Tasnim Ahsan becomes the first Endocrinologist from the country to be awarded with the Endocrine Society’s prestigious Laureate Award 2023.

A total of 12 health experts have been shortlisted to receive this honour under the Laureate Awards. The award celebrates the success of endocrine researchers and clinicians worldwide, and Pakistan’s Dr Ahsan is one of them.

Professor Emerita at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Dr Tasnim Ahsan and the founding dean of the Medicell Institute of Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism in Karachi has been awarded the “International Excellence in Endocrinology”.

This recognition is for her tireless contributions to the field in geographic areas with underdeveloped resources for hormone health research, education, clinical practice or administration.

Moreover, she is an internationally recognized and awarded clinician and educator who has selflessly committed herself to the establishment and growth of the field of endocrinology in the country.

She first started her practice in the public sector hospital JPMC in 1993. and since has trained over 100 postgraduate trainee doctors. She also helps transgenders in Pakistan by treating members of the community at the Medicell Institute. She also is a founding member of the Pakistan Endocrine Society.

We applaud the services rendered by the doctor and salute her for her accomplishments. Not only have her services made countless lives easier, but her trained doctors are ready to take this movement forward with their practice.

What do you think about her achievement? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and updates.

Former Executive Director Jinnah Hospital Dr. Seemin Jamali Granted the Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel

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Workshak
BusinessFeaturedLifestyleTrailblazer

Pakistan’s First Female-led Co-working Space ‘Workshack’ Launched in Islamabad

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Pakistani women are taking over the world with their brilliant entrepreneurship skills and ideas. From bakeries to co-working spaces, there have been thousands of new business ideas that are being recognized on a national-level scale.

One such idea is Workshak. This is Pakistan’s first female-led co-working space in Islamabad that allows individuals from all walks of life to come and experience a workspace with international standard amenities, which is well within a budget.

Workshak was created by the Managing Director Parvin Khudadad, a single mother and an educationist for more than 30 years, and the CEO Tooba Saad Khan, an active Board Member of Industries Private Limited and Ex-HR Team Member at the US Embassy Employees Association.

As a single independent mother, I could foresee that the restrictions associated with working women and the challenges they encounter won’t be that simple. Therefore, I always wanted to create such a space for them where they could pursue their businesses and startups smoothly. –  Managing Director, Ms. Parvin Khudadad

Syeda Iffat Jabbar Becomes the First Woman Station Director & Controller Programer of Radio Pakistan Peshawar

They offer a number of amenities including free internet, free tea & coffee, electricity with backup, daycare, valet parking, TIA-R 3 Cloud Solution, health coverage up to Rs. 500,000 per annum per user, corporate & b2b Solutions, shuttle service, roof top cafeteria, dedicated cloud support team and 24/7 surveillance & security are housed within the space. While availing of these facilities, women will find a networked community of other ambitious women with like-minded goals.

Being a mother of a toddler I always wished to start something of my own after my baby. The strenuous work routine and time constraints led me to conceptualize the idea of a co-working space where mothers and women like me could work stress-free and have no barriers to entry. – CEO Ms. Tooba Saad Khan

Workshak Concept

With so many startups and businesses entering the global market every day, there has been a rising concern regarding economical workplaces. Ranging from leasing office spaces to paying monthly bills and rentals, it is becoming very tough for new ventures to make their way into the industry.

Finding viable office spaces to provide a comfortable working environment to its employees is a major concern of businesses today and this is where the role of co-working comes in. Workshack aims to provide a solution to all these new initiatives with the right kind of amenities and comfort with prices falling within their budget.

Being a strong supporter of women working actively in all fields and women empowerment,  Workshack is a place where companies can be facilitated and provided with a comfortable environment under the same roof.

What do you think about this female-led venture? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and updates.

Amna Baig Becomes First Pakistani Woman to Join Koenigsegg Automotive as Manufacturing Engineer

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FeaturedTrailblazer

Syeda Iffat Jabbar Becomes the First Woman Station Director & Controller Programer of Radio Pakistan Peshawar

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Once again another Pakistani woman has created history. Syeda Iffat Jabbar took over as the first female station director in Peshawar.

A press release said Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Headquarters Islamabad issued the notification of her promotion.

Iffat Jabbar joined Radio Pakistan Peshawar as a programme producer. She is also the first woman station director and controller programmes of Radio Pakistan Peshawar in the history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Moreover, Jabbar has represented Pakistan on a number of both national and international platforms including BBC London, British Council, Radio Japan, Radio Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia, amongst many others, and has received awards.

She has a vast experience in all formats of broadcast production and has earned a name by creating thousands of special programmes, and dramas of other literary events successfully.

She also worked a lot for women empowerment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and achieved PBC National Excellence Award in this regard.

Speaking on the occasion, Station Director Radio Pakistan Peshawar Syeda Iffat Jabbar expressed the determination of continuous hard work for the improvement of Broadcasting House Peshawar during her service tenure.

The Radio Pakistan, Peshawar station started its first transmissions in 1935 and since has come a long way. Her late-father Mr. Syed Abdul Jabbar has also remained a well-renowned broadcaster himself.

We congratulate Syeda Iffat Jabbar on her marvelous achievement and we hope that she has many more successes and awards under her belt in the near future.

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

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Amna Baig
FeaturedLifestyleTrailblazer

Amna Baig Becomes First Pakistani Woman to Join Koenigsegg Automotive as Manufacturing Engineer

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Amna Mustabeen Baig has become the first Pakistani woman to join Koenigsegg Automotives as a Manufacturing Engineer. Previously, Farukh Kamran, a graduate from UET became a part of the Swedish hypercar brand.

Women like Amna who achieve such success are always good news for the people of the country. Pakistan is being represented internationally and our citizens are considered for bog roles.

The automotive industry is one of the biggest ones. Having Pakistani talent join a huge name like Koeenigsigg is great news, especially when a female has joined the male-dominated sector that too as an engineer.

With more than three years of experience working as an automotive engineer, Amna has also worked for other well-known Swedish automotive companies such as Volvo Trucks and Scania.

She took the challenge to prove herself as a woman and got her Master’s degree from the UK in Business Management and another master’s in Supply Chain Management from Sweden.

She is also known to act as a mentor to young girls to empower them by choosing this unique field and by breaking stereotypes that are associated with it.

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.

Hina Shoaib Becomes First Female Pakistani Chef to Win Bronze at International Chef Competition

Way to go Amna! We are super proud of you. All the best for your future endeavours.

Stay tuned to WOW360.

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FeaturedFoodTrailblazer

Hina Shoaib Becomes First Female Pakistani Chef to Win Bronze at International Chef Competition

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

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.

Although there were a number of Pakistani dishes for the judges to taste and choose from, Hina Shoaib’s dish served with sauces did the trick.

She took it to social media to share the good news, and also shared that the winning dish consisted of cooked tanmiah breast chicken stuffed with Italian cheese with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce with chicken gravy. She also made kebab paratha.

Hina Shoaib was awarded two bronze medals and a certificate by the senior chefs Thomas Gugler and Daniel Meyer.

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Hina Shoaib also expressed pride and joy for being selected among the top chefs. Her smile and reaction that were captured show how thrilled she is to have won for Pakistan.

The Pakistan pavilion was opened by Ameer Khurram Rathore, the ambassador of Pakistan. We are extremely proud of her and applaud her efforts. May you win many more medals for Pakistan.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and updates.

Pakistan’s Taekwondo Sensation Ayesha Ayaz Wins Gold at Taekwondo International Championship in Thailand

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ayesha zehri
FeaturedTrailblazer

Ayesha Zehri Appointed as First Female Deputy Commissioner of Baluchistan, Naseerabad

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

The Government of Baluchistan has posted Engineer Ayesha Zehri as the first woman deputy commissioner of the province. This news was announced this past Sunday as she was posted as Deputy Commissioner 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.

Furthermore, reports claim that the previous commissioner, deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners of Naseerabad were removed after the submission of complaints lodged by Saleem Khosa.

Reportedly, Mr. Khosa demanded that Chief Minister Bizenjo take action against the officials for their negligence and poor performance.

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.

it was reported to the prime minister, worked with her staff to aid flood victims and oversaw rehabilitation efforts day and night after the disastrous flood.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the team has worked tirelessly to restore the highway in eight hours. “It is a big thing that the team worked with high spirits during this tough time,” he added.

Zehri came into the spotlight after she conducted a raid and recovered a young lad named Abdul Hadi. Hadi had been abducted from the Chagi district of Baluchistan and a ransom of Rs 40million was demanded by the kidnappers. Moreover, she also imposed a fine on the group Qatari Royals who were illegally hunting in the Chagi neighbourhood.

“Women can make a difference”, she said. Look at Finland where from Prime Minister to all key ministers are all women”, Ayesha Zehri said. Women can run States if given chance, she insisted.

Zehri is an icon in the eyes of the daughters of Baluchistan as well as the nation. Women like her are proof that the women of Pakistan are just as skilled as their male counterparts and are motivating the younger generation to contribute to the betterment of their homeland.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and updates.

Manisha Ropeta Becomes Pakistan’s First Hindu Woman DSP

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Trailblazer

Visually Impaired Canadian Mountaineer Jill Wheatley Wishes to Return to Pakistan

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Canadian mountain climber Jill Wheatley was recently in Pakistan enjoying 3 months of sightseeing, trekking, and conquering.

With just 30% of visibility, Wheatley and her group took on the challenge to 14 peaks, which are above 8000m (Vision 8000), and break the stigma associated with traumatic brain injury, vision loss, and eating disorders.

Moreover, she is the first Canadian female mountaineer to summit Dhaulagiri and Kanchenjunga; 1 of only 2 to summit 4 * 8000 in Nepal. Both K2 and Nanga Parbat were on her list for Pakistan.

Mountains allow me to make sense of the chaos that surfaces among crowds and questions, stares, cities. from tales of getting lost to finding myself at Manaslu. And then climbing up to the serene summit of Manaslu. The challenge of climbing 8000+ peaks is not tough as the traumatic challenge I went through. Challenging the mountains of my mind – Jill Wheatley

Wheatley summited Dhaulagiri, Kangchenjunga, and Makalu this past spring, this particular order means she is getting through the hard ones first. Usually, the climbers who start with Nanga Parbat have to hurry to finish K2 and Broad Peak before unstable weather hits Karakoram in August.

Apart from the usual risks and hardships, climbers added the unpredictable Karakoram weather, no rescue helicopters, or such resources to their list of challenges.
“I am so grateful I made it last year! This season, the peak may be too crowded,” Wheatley said.

Jill Wheatley is not only a mountaineer but also a mountain runner, ice climber, and ski mountaineer. Her golden words of ‘challenging the mountains of my mind are so inspirational. Women like her have the power of ignition to enlighten generations.

She took it to Twitter to share her journey, with her last tweet in Pakistan being:

Nanga Parbat ~ thanks for the reminders of the way life doesn’t always go the way we anticipate. I walk away embracing the serendipity to be found in the chapter; the entire team is safe & I will return for an extended stay in #Pakistan where I feel so welcome.

We wish Jill Wheatley massive success in all her summits and hope she returns to Pakistan soon.

Stay tuned to WOW360.

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Zoya Agarwal
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Captain Zoya Agarwal Inducted in the US Aviation Museum After Covering World’s Longest Route

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

Captain Zoya Agarwal has created history by becoming the first female Indian pilot to be inducted into the US Aviation Museum.

Captain Agarwal is a senior AirIndia Boeing-777 pilot and the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft over the North Pole, making history with a record-breaking flight of 16,000 kilometres. She holds the record of commanding the longest flight from San Fransico to Bengaluru encompassing the North Pole, which is the world’s longest flight route of 17 hours.

Her accomplishment was recognized through the induction. Zoya Agarwal’s illustrious career in aviation and her passion for flying is empowering women worldwide.

Super excited to FINALLY share the first big news with all #MyFutureDreamers that on behalf of our country and our amazing flag carrier @airindia.in your Bharat Ki Beti is the pioneer Indian Woman Pilot in the Prestigious San Francisco Aviation Museum. So elated and grateful for having the honour to be featured in such a prestigious American museum. @sfomuseum SFO San Francisco Aviation Luis A Turpen Aviation museum.

 

So thankful to Ms Debbie Kahn and all the museum management to make time to honor me in their off time on the weekend, Grateful and humbled @sfomuseum for your love towards our country. Thank you so much @airindia.in for believing in me and being the guiding force throughout my journey. Thank you so much to all of #MyFutureDreamers for all your love and support each and every single day. This one is for each and every #BharatKiBeti out there.

 

8 years old Zoya would have never thought of living such a momentous day. If she could do it, you can do it too! Never stop believing in yourself and chasing your dreams,” she wrote on her social media sharing the happy news. – She wrote in her Instagram caption.

Syeda Huma Batool Becomes Pakistan’s First Ever Female Chairperson of an Airline

Captain Zoya Agarwal graduated from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and has been associated with AirIndia since 2004. Asides from piloting the world’s longest flight, she is also the first female pilot to fly a Boeing 777 aircraft over the Hindu Kush Mountain range. In 2013, she became the youngest female commander to fly Air India’s Boeing 777.

On the other hand, Agarwal is a United Nations spokesperson for gender equality and has been encouraging countless women to help their aspirations take flight.

What are your thoughts on her accomplishments? Share them with us in the comments below.

Stay tuned to WOW360.

Pakistan’s Nabaa Naveed Becomes First International Student Selected for CRISP Cancer Research Program

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Meet Sana Khurshid: Pakistan’s First Differently-Abled Female Lawyer

by Ayesal A
written by Ayesal A

A car accident in 2002 left Sana Khurshid paralyzed from the neck down. Moreover, Khurshid lost her sister in the 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.

At the time of the incident, she was a first-year medical college student. Following this incident at the Lahore-Karachi motorway, she moved to the United Kingdom to receive rehabilitation which was unfortunately not provided with little to no paramedic care available.

While on her trip to recovery, she overcame her self-doubts and inhibitions and decided to pursue a career in law. Soon she applied for her undergraduate Law degree and completed her LLB and her LLM from the University of London . With renewed hopes, she returned to Pakistan to face all odds.

It was not an easy journey for her as she has to adapt to many changes, especially due to her condition. Pakistan’s infrastructure still faces a lot of issues when it comes to providing accessibility to specially-abled individuals, whether it’s a restaurant, a building, public areas, or otherwise.

Sana Khurshid then took it to Twitter 2021 to talk about her journey, the accident, and the title of becoming Pakistan’s first specially-abled lawyer.

She wrote:

25th March, is the day when I am allowed to mourn for my lost self without hiding my grief behind a smile. Although the actual memories of the days that followed my accident have faded a bit, my feelings of sorrow are deeply embedded in my heart.

 

It doesn’t have to be 25th March for me to feel overwhelmingly sad. I am full of conflicting emotions yet they make sense for me I feel grateful but sad Lost yet at peace Vulnerable yet strong.

 

These emotions are a part of me and they make me into the person that I am today I am proud of who I am because I have worked really hard to not let my tragedy and circumstances define who I am.

 

I have shed blood, sweat, and tears to come to this point where I am seen and recognized for the person I am and not for what happened to me. I am incredibly grateful, blessed, and lucky to be surrounded by an unconditional army of love and support.

 

But today I just want to mourn for my lost self without any feeling of guilt or ingratitude I want to grieve for my lost dreams…my shattered hopes…. for everything I have lost. I want to remember the Sana I was…the Sana I’ll never be and say a little prayer for her. Tomorrow I’ll be fine tomorrow will be a new day.

Because she spent quite an amount of time in and out of hospitals, Khurshid first-hand has experienced the troubles that the victims of disability go through in their everyday lives and how the lack of access highly affects their lives.

We hope that she succeeds in bringing positive changes to the country for its people and that one day they will finally have a fair chance at living an equal life.

Stay tuned to WOW360 for more news and updates.

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