Mother’s Day is coming on 11th May. Keeping that in mind, this week, we pay tribute to a few outstanding moms who are achievers in their respective fields. Read on…
As more women continue to make their mark, Pakistan moves closer to a future where gender equality is not just a goal but a reality. These extraordinary moms exemplify the power of perseverance, talent, and courage. Each of them has broken new ground in their respective fields, paving the way for future generations. Read on…
Mother’s Day is coming on 11th May. Keeping that in mind, this week, we pay tribute to a few outstanding moms who are achievers in their respective fields. Read on…
Sarah is the co-founder and Chief executive officer of Aero Engine Craft. Dr Sarah Qureshi is a name synonymous with innovation in the aerospace industry. She is working on developing the world’s first contrail-free aircraft engine, an invention that could revolutionise aviation by reducing its environmental impact. Her ground-breaking research aims to combat aviation-induced global warming, making air travel more sustainable.
From a young age, she was fascinated by aviation, inspired by her father’s work in the industry. She often assisted him with engines and machines, sparking her lifelong interest in engineering. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), followed by a master’s degree in aerospace dynamics. In 2010, she returned to the UK to complete her PhD at Cranfield University. However, after giving birth to her daughter, the university granted her permission to continue her education in Pakistan to maintain her responsibilities as a mother. Dr Qureshi’s work places Pakistan at the forefront of eco-friendly aerospace technology and proves that women can lead the way in STEM fields and are also capable of raising their children at the same time.
Saleema Imtiaz is an international cricket umpire from Pakistan. She began her umpiring career with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) women’s umpires’ panel in 2008. She made her international umpire debut in the India v Sri Lank match in the Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup.
In October 2022, she stood in matches in the Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup tournament. On 15 September 2024, she was added to the Development Panel of ICC Umpires and became Pakistan’s first woman umpire on ICC Development Panel. Having years of experience in high-profile events, her promotion to the ICC truly marked an extraordinary feat for her and the country.
Saleema’s accomplishment is not just a personal victory but a triumph for aspiring female cricketers and umpires in Pakistan. Saleema is a proud mother of Kainat who is also an international player.
Lieutenant General Nigar Johar Khan is a retired three-star general in Pakistan Army. Nigar belonged to the Pakistan Army Medical Corps and served as the surgeon general of the Pakistan Army and Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps. Lieutenant General Nigar Johar has shattered gender stereotypes in Pakistan’s military by becoming the first woman to hold the position of three-star general and be appointed as the Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps (AMC). Nigar is the first and only woman in the history of Pakistan Army to reach the rank of lieutenant-general, and the third to reach the rank of major-general.
Nigar got early education at Convent Girls High School, Rawalpindi, graduating from the Army Medical College (AMC) in 1985, and obtaining Master of Public Health degree from the Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute in 2015. With an illustrious career spanning decades, she has been awarded the ‘Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Military)’, the ‘Hilal-e-Imtiaz’, and the prestigious ‘Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal’ for her contributions to military medicine. Her leadership paves the way for more women to take on high-ranking positions in Pakistan’s armed forces.
She is a doting mother who has inculcated her values in her son Bilawal Khan, who is also serving in the Pakistan Army.
Nigar Nazar is the first woman cartoonist of Pakistan, known for her famous cartoon character ‘Gogi’. She is a graduate of the Punjab University and later on did a correspondence course in cartooning from Glasgow, and many years later a Fulbright scholarship for professional upgrading in this field.
An internationally known artist, she has authored several children’s and young adult’s books and comics. Nigar has received several awards including ‘Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah Award’ from the government of Pakistan. She received the Booruker UNESCO prize in 1997 for her work at an orphanage in Kyrgyzstan. The BBC nominated her as one of a hundred influential women who brought about a difference in the world.
Being a mom, Nigar put special emphasis on giving quality education to her children. Her daughter, Nazish Abbas is a graduate from Bristol University, England, while his son, Numaid Fuad Abbas, is a graduate of UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) where he won numerous awards for his assignments. Her second daughter, Nosheen, graduated from SOAS University of London. “Motherhood is a complete joy and I am so proud of my children,” says Nigar who is the Chief Executive of Gogi Studios in Pakistan.
Music has the power to transcend time, and few voices in Pakistan’s history have resonated as deeply as Tahira Syed’s. She grew up surrounded by melodies and poetry, with her mother, the legendary ghazal singer Malika Pukhraj, playing a significant role in shaping her musical journey. Tahira’s passion for singing was evident from an early age, and by the time she was 14, she had already made her debut on television, captivating audiences with her soulful voice. Her effortless command over ghazal and folk music soon made her a household name. Throughout her illustrious career, Tahira has been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, the ‘Pride of Performance Award’, and the ‘Nigar Award’ for Best Female Playback Singer. These accolades reflect not only her talent but also her lasting impact on Pakistan’s music industry. Beyond her achievements, Tahira continues to inspire aspiring female artists, proving that dedication and passion can carve a path to greatness. Her contributions to music remain timeless, reminding us of the power of art in bringing people together. Tahira has two children Hasnain Bokhari and Kiran Bokhari whom she has raised with much affection.
Ayesha Malik is the first woman to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a significant milestone in the country’s legal history. She took her oath of office on January 24, 2022. Prior to this appointment, she served as a judge of the Lahore High Court for many years. This milestone is a testament to the changing landscape of gender representation in the country’s legal system. Justice Malik is also known for her ground-breaking ruling in January 2021, which abolished the controversial two-finger virginity test conducted on victims of sexual violence. Her decision was a major victory for women’s rights in Pakistan, reinforcing the need for dignity and justice for survivors of sexual assault. She continues to advocate for gender-sensitive reforms within the judiciary.
Ayesha is as devoted and dedicated to her family as she is to her career; she is married and has three children - two sons and a daughter. She says her husband and her children are like her guardian angels. They have been her primary and constant support throughout her career.
Yasmeen Lari is Pakistan’s first female architect and a pioneer in sustainable design. She is known for her work in disaster relief and her dedication to creating affordable housing for vulnerable communities. Yasmeen Lari studied two years of arts in London before being accepted into the School of Architecture, Oxford Brookes University (previously named Oxford Polytechnic). While in architecture school Yasmeen married and had her first child, a daughter.
After graduating from the Oxford School of Architecture in 1964, Yasmeen returned to Pakistan at age 23 with her husband, Suhail Zaheer Lari, and opened her architecture firm Lari Associates in Karachi.
Yasmeen has designed some of the most iconic buildings of Karachi including the Taj Mahal Hotel, Finance and Trade Centre and the Pakistan State Oil House, making her mark in a male-dominated profession. But the 2005 earthquake changed the direction of Yasmeen’s career and her life forever. She devoted all her energies to providing homes to the marginalised. She developed a low cost, carbon-free structure technique, using renewable materials, becoming one of the world’s most successful provider of sustainable and resilient disaster relief structures. Her foundation has built more than 50,000 houses for victims of floods and earthquakes in Pakistan since 2010.
Yasmeen has been awarded the ‘Jane Drew Prize’ and the ‘Fukuoka Prize’ for her contributions to architecture and humanitarian work. Her designs continue to influence sustainable architecture in Pakistan and beyond. Yasmeen is not only a compassionate architect but also a devoted mother who has brought up three wonderful human beings.
