Nigar Ahmad paid tribute

LAHORE

“Nigar Ahmad was a secular, a leftist, and a development economist. She held the cradle high as pioneer of women’s movement in Pakistan. Her struggle for the empowerment of women and levelling the class differences began as a women activist in early 80’s. Her ideologies as a development economist stimulated her thirst for bringing the invisible in the economy to the level where they are not only seen but are recognised and counted”.

These views were shared in a joint programme by Old Ravian Union and HomeNet Pakistan at Fazal Hussain auditorium, Government College University. 

Old Ravians’ Union, academia and CSO gathered to pay tribute to the woman who not only gave a new vision of empowerment to women around her but a visible parity to those who are hidden. Gathering was held at a place where a legendary, a visionary soul studied the very pragmatic theories of economics and later in her life let others follow her footprints

Speaking on the occasion, Ume Laila Azhar, from HomeNet Pakistan, said Nigar Ahmad’s vision to bring the informal into to the limelight resulted in collaboration at south Asian level and formation of HomeNet south Asia and later HomeNet Pakistan in 2005, envisioning a society in which home based workers are ensured visibility, recognition, legal and social protection, and a decent standard of living. Vice Chancellor GCU Professor Dr Hassan Amier Shah in his opening remarks said GCU is proud to hold a tribute for someone who studied at GC and later become a legend in women movement of Pakistan.  Speaking on the occasion, Neelam Hussain talked of Nigar’s college days at Government College and her passion for leading women and at that time she for the first time went to the college cricket match. Salima Hashmi talked about her relation with her as GC Dramatic club and later when Nigar was studying at Cambridge.