We all have dreams and aspirations, but sometimes life shapes them in very unexpected ways. For me, higher education was never on the cards, let alone in the UK. But Chevening changed that.
Chevening is a prestigious UK government-funded scholarship for mid-career professionals to pursue a master’s degree in the UK. I first heard of it in 2003 when my aunt returned from a Chevening fellowship. But life was busy, and it didn’t feel like an opportunity for me.
Let’s rewind. I was widowed very early in life, left with two small children to raise on my own. Madiha was only seven, Mujtaba barely three. I had no degree. My prayers, efforts and energy were focused not on myself but on them – on being both a mother and a father, on giving them a comfortable life, a good education and the right values.
And a part of that was showing my children that, despite all of life’s difficult circumstances, I could raise them while being financially independent. So, I went back to university and completed my degree, becoming a qualified pharmacist. Alongside all that, in 1992 I launched my fashion brand Aasia Saail, the start of my entrepreneurship journey. I was so busy at this time, pursuing two careers and raising a family. Studying in the UK was a distant dream.
A decade later, however, life gave me a breather. As a senior member of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I was asked to organise an event for Chevening in Pakistan. After the presentation, I asked, “Is there an age limit?” When I learned there wasn’t, something reignited in me.
My children were now grown up. Suddenly, Chevening was a real possibility. The application process was intense – choosing my field, shortlisting universities, gathering documents and securing references. But I was authentic; I set out a clear vision of how I wanted to support women entrepreneurs. And I was successful.
What drew me to Chevening was its focus on leadership. It is not just about grades or academics but about training people who will return home and bring a positive change.
My year at SOAS, University of London, was transformative. Sitting among classmates the same age as my younger son was humbling but also exhilarating. I quickly caught up, diving deep into the history of how women had been treated across civilisations. I even took a course at UCL – Gender Policy & Planning – which perfectly matched my interests.
I returned to Pakistan with not just a degree, but a renewed sense of purpose. I have since become the director of Lama, and Saail Enterprises.
But more than personal success, Chevening has accelerated my efforts to support the next generation of female entrepreneurs. Using the Chevening platform, I mentored women from rural and urban areas, guiding them on how to use e-commerce to earn from home. My work took me to international fora such as USAID, SIDA, UNESCAP and the Commonwealth. I was invited to speak across the world, representing the women entrepreneurs of Pakistan.
Most recently, in 2024, I was honoured to join the Prime Minister’s Steering Committee on SME Development. One of my proudest achievements was successfully lobbying for the recognition of micro enterprises – where 90 per cent of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan operate – as ‘Agents of Change’ alongside small and medium enterprises. This recognition was long overdue, and I have now been nominated on the SMEDA Board to help implement these reforms.
Looking back, I see how one decision – to apply for Chevening – transformed my life. It gave me knowledge, networks and, above all, the confidence to dream bigger, even at a stage in life when many think dreams are behind them. Chevening taught me that age is indeed just a number.
To every woman wondering if it’s too late, my message is simple: Apply. Dare to dream. Chevening won’t just change your life, it will empower you to change others.
The writer is a designer, entrepreneur and Chevening alumna.