Balqes Bano Edhi is a humanitarian and a social worker. She heads the Bilquis Edhi Foundation . She was born on August 14, 1947 in Karachi.She is is a professional nurse. She is the wife of is a prominent Pakistani philanthropist, social activist and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi. She had two sons and two daughters. She has been working with the Edhi Foundation since the early 60's. Malala Yoousafzai- Youngest Noble Peace Prize Winner, for championing the cause of girls' education in KPK. Assaulted by the Taliban Sharmeen Obaid Documentarian and a Pakistani journalist. She isthe second Pakistani to win an Oscar. Samina Baig- First Pakistani woman to have topped Mount Everest and climbed the Chaskin Sar Peak at 21, which was (later) named after her. Benazir Bhutto- First woman Prime Minister in the modern Muslim world and "fought dictatorship without fearing for her life." Bilquis Edhi- Key principal of Edhi, a non-profit social welfare program in Pakistan, founded by her husband philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi in 1951, providing maternity and adoption services, shelter for the destitute, free hospitals and medical care, drug rehabilitation services, etc... Muniba Mizari- Disabled activist, artist, writer, & motivational speaker Pakistans firstwheel chair bound model. Zahida Kazmi- First woman taxi-driver in Pakistan Sabeen Mehmud- human rights activist, founder of the Karachi-based cafeThe Second Floor/T2F("..a community space designed to enable discussion on human rights, peace- building, justice, environment, social development and intellectual poverty alleviation..") and president of the Karachi branch of TiE ("..a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship")..Mishal Husain aBritish-Pakistani news presenter for the BBC who has been tagged as the one to watch. SayeedaWarsi the very first Muslim minister to sit in the British cabinet.

Mariam Sultana the first Pakistani woman to earn a PhD in astrophysics.

Maria Umar the founder of Womens Digital League.

Rabia Garib the Chief Wrapper of ToffeeTV, a channelthathelps children learn through engaging stories in Urdu. She runs the channel along with her business partner,Talea Zafar, who is also theChief Executive.Saba Gul an engineer, an entrepreneur and the founder ofPopinjay.

6 Pakistani women entrepreneurs who have changed the countrys bad image1. Jehan Ara:

Jehan Ara is one of the most famous name when it comes to Pakistani female entrepreneurs. She is the active president and the mastermind behind PASHA (Pakistan Software Houses Association). The company that focuses on IT by providing software products and services is the brainchild of Jehan Ara. An entrepreneur, motivational speaker and writer Jehan Ara is a known name of marketing and communication for almost three decades.2. Salma Jafri

The girl who entered the professional world after completing her MBA with a job, today is known as a successful marketer. Salma Jafri is the founder and CEO of WorldPL.net a portal that provides a platform to young entrepreneurs who wants to put their content through social media. WordPL is a content marketing firm that works in divers fields like marketing, consulting, IT, HR, social media, customer services, online video, film-making, audio, training and e-learning. Salma knows how to take care of both the worlds as she is a mother and a business woman. The lady who founded WordPL in 2008 is now leading it with great expertise.3. Sidra Qasim:

Sidra Qasim is a young innovative entrepreneur who introduced the handcraft shoes on the internet. Sidra is the co-founder of home town Shoes company which is now known as Markhor. It is an exceptional portal which sells the handcrafted shoes of Pakistani craftsmen to the world.Isnt that new and creative!?Sidra Qasim along with partner Qasim Ali have taken Pakistani handmade leather shoes for men to the international markets.The firm has got enough recognition as Sidra has major buyers from Europe, the ladywants to build a better image of Pakistan through her work.4. Sheeba Najmi:

A MS from Stanford University who started her professional career as a reporter in a Pakistani satellite channel Sheeba Najmi is now the founder of Tech for Change. Tech for Change is a non-profit organization works to eliminate civic and social problems of Pakistan by bringing entrepreneurs, developers and designer together. This talented young lady has also worked as the lead designer of Yahoo mail for several years.5. Kalsoom Lakhani

She is the CEO of invest to innovate (i2i) a company that recognizes and trains budding entrepreneurs. I2I not only trains the entrepreneurs but they also introduce them to their clients. Kalsoom Lakhani is also a member World Economic Forums Global Shapers. Not only this, this talented graduate from George Washington University is also the founder of CHUP (changing Up Pakistan) that aims to create awareness regarding different issues of Pakistan.6. Roshaneh Zafar:

This brilliant lady is the founder and managing director of Kashaf Foundation. This foundation works to educate, fund and spread awareness to the working women of rural areas in order to change their economic condition. Roshaneh Zafar got her education from a prestigious institution Yale University and left her handsome job at Wold Bank to start Kashaf Foundation. Her hard work is paying back as she is among the few female game changers of Pakistan who havechanged the commonly spread notion regarding Pakistani women...Sughra Solangi:Sughra was born on March 02, 1970 in village Muhammad Arab Solangi, Tehsil Kotediji Khairpur Mirs, Sindh Pakistan, her father Mr. Muhib Ali was the Teacher in Government School. She wants to seek education but her wishes was destroyed on the sack of local tradition that female have no need to come out from the house and seek education. She got married at the age of 12; her first son was born at the age of 13 and a daughter when she was 15. Her husband abandoned her when she was 20, accusing her of being unattractive and illiterate.After her divorce at the age of 20, she had nothing but had to take care of her two young children. After moving back home with her parents, she felt rejected and humiliated and was near suicide, but she kept going. Sughra expressed her desire to learn, but largely due to cultural norms, was discouraged by her brothers. Nevertheless, she began studying on her own, and eventually, one of her brothers came forward and allowed an older cousin to help her. Within four years, she passed the matriculation exam. Although people ridiculed and humiliated her when she started studying, she didn't lose heart. To support herself and her children, she did embroidery until late in the evening.In 1989, she became a teacher at the girl's primary school in her village. But her thirst for education was much bigger than that. At the age of 31, without any formal schooling, Sughra successfully completed a Bachelor of Education. In year 2003 she earned a Masters in Sociology and now plans to add a Masters in Education. Her next goal is to learn English. She is currently employed as head mistress in a local Government school, and tries to balance this job with her challenging development work as a community leader and mother.Even with all of her accomplishments, society still forced Sughra to marry again. In 1999, Sughra got married with Ashiq Solangi, who also used to work in development sector and one of is supportive of her within the family.Awards: International Women of Courage Award 2011:This morning at the State Department, hostedceremony on the 100th Anniversary of International Womens Day, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama presented the annual International Women of Courage awards to 10 women from around the world. One of these 10 women is Pakistani Ghulam Sughran. She is Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Marvi Rural Development Organization is one of the luckiest Pakistani women who received 2011 International Women of Courage Awards by the Secretary of State.Acknowledgements In 1998 Sughra received the award for Best Creative Work in the Life of Rural Women from the World Women's Summit Foundation In 1998 she received the award from Government of Pakistan as best food security implementer. In 2001 she received the pride of performance award as Best Social worker from District Government Khairpur Mirs...Sehba Sarwar is a writer, multidisciplinary artist, and activist, currently based in Houston, USA. She moves between the city of her birth, Karachi, Pakistan, where she spent the first half of her life in a home filled with artists, activists and educators, and her adopted city, Houston, where she has recreated a community similar to the one where she was raised. Through her writings and installations, Sarwar explores displacement and womens issues, moving between South Asia and the US.Sarwar's first novel,Black Wingswas published in 2004 (Alhamra Publishing, Pakistan), and her essays, poems and short stories have appeared in publications includingAnd The World Changed(Feminist Press, New York),The News on Sunday,The New York Times Sunday MagazineandCallaloo. She has also created a series ofvideo collagesthat have been screened in Pakistan, India,Egyptand the US. In an attempt to document the multiple realities she inhabits - writer, artist, mother, activist, dual citizen - Sarwar maintains ablog, where she posts images, videos and words.Currently, Sarwar is developing a non-fiction narrative entitledWhat Is Home?that she started in 2012 while doing a two-year residency at the University of Houston'sCynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts.In 2014-15, through aMid-America Arts Alliancegrant, Sarwar expanded herWhat Is Home?project into a multidisciplinary arts production the first phase of which culminated on May 9, 2015. To follow her project, please clickhere.Alongside developingWhat Is Home?, Sarwar serves as artistic/ founding director ofVoices Breaking Boundaries(VBB), a non-profit arts-activist organization in Houston, USA for which she has createdBorderlines,a series that creates connections between North America and South Asia..1. Namira Salim

Namira became the first Pakistani, man or woman, to reach North and South Poles when she achieved this in 2008. She also holds the distinction of being the first Asian and first Pakistani to skydive over Mount Everest during the historic First Everest Skydives project in 2008.She is also going to be the first Pakistani to travel into Space when the first commercial space flight by Virgin Galactic takes off.2.Rozina Ali

Dr. Rozina Ali is amicrovascular reconstructive plastic surgeon and consultant with a specialist interest in breast reconstruction. She was awarded the Cutlers Surgicial Fellowship in 2007 and is highly regarded within the medical industry with her research cited in many prestigious medical journals and her appearances on TV shows in the UK and US as an expert in the field.3. Rani Taj

Taj is a British Pakistanidholplayer from Birmingham, United Kingdom. She rose to international fame in 2010 when she appeared in a viral video playingdholin the streets.4. Mehreen Faruqi

Mehreen is an Australian politician, with a degree from UET Lahore in Civil Engineering. She moved to Australia in 1992 after having worked as a consultant in Pakistan for several years.She has been a Greens Party MP in the New South Wales Legislative Council since 19 June 2013.5. Lianna Swan

A swimmer, Swan is a British-Pakistani, who represented Pakistan at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. She holds 9 National records and several international records for swimming.6. Asma Gul

Asma Gul is an American award-winning writer. She is the author of three published works as called , American Muslims: The New Generation, Why I am a Musilm and Red,White and White All these books are non-fiction, dealing with the American Muslim movement through critical analysis and personal biography according to Wikipedia. She has receieved acclaimed praises from Reza Aslan, Fareed Zakaria and Jack Miles. She currently serves as aSenior Vice PresidentandChief Legal OfficertoHealthTrioLLC.7. Huma Abedin

Huma Abedinis an American political staffer. She has been a long-time aide toHillary Clinton, and wasU.S.Secretary of StateClintons Deputy Chief of Staff at the State Department.She currently serves as vice chairwoman ofClintons 2016 campaign for President.8. Ayesha Jalal

Ayesha Jalal is aPakistani-Americanhistorian who was awarded with 1998MacArthur Fellowship. She is also the grandniece of renowned Urdu Fiction writer Saadat Hasan Manto. She has taught at theUniversity of WisconsinMadison,Tufts University,Columbia University,Harvard University and LUMS.9. Shaila Abdullah

Shaila Abdullah is known as a Word Artist for being an award-winning Pakistani- American author, writer and designer. Her work focuses on the strengths and weaknesses ofPakistaniwomen and their often unconventional choices in life. She is the author of five books,Saffron Dreams,Beyond the Cayenne Walland three childrens books,My Friend Suhana, Rani in Search of a Rainbow, andA Manual for Marco.Abdullah has received many awards for her work including the Patras Bukhari Award for English Language, the Golden Quill Award and the Norumbega Jury Prize for Outstanding Fiction.10. Shahzia Sikander

Shahzia Sikandar is a Pakistani born, internationally recognized artist. After graduating from NCA in 1991 with a BFA she moved to the USA gaining an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design in 1995. Sikander has been the recipient of numerous awards, grants and fellowships, including the Asia Society Award for Significant Contribution to Contemporary Art, Art Prize in Time-Based Art from Grand Rapids Museum and the Inaugural Medal of Art.In 2004, Newsweek listed Sikander as one of the most important South Asians transforming the American cultural landscape. In 2006, the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland appointed Sikander as a Young Global Leader.11. Sana Amanat

Sana Amanat, an Editor atMarvel Comics, is developing and managing creative content for the companys various publishing lines. Most recently, she co-created the first solo series to feature a Muslim Pakistani female super hero,Ms. Marvel. She also serves as a Young Leaders Committee board member at Seeds of Peace, an organization that promotes the empowerment of youth in regions of conflict.The character created by Amanat. First Marvel Superhero of Pakistani Muslim descent.13. Tahmena Bokhari Tahmena Bokhariis a Pakistani-Canadianbeauty pageanttitleholder and social worker.She was born inToronto , Canada and spent several childhood years inFaisalabad,Pakistan. She wonMrs. Pakistan World 2010 in Toronto and became the 3rd Pakistani woman in history to represent women on an international platform when she won Mrs. United Nation International 2010.14. Rohina Malik Rohina Malikis a critically acclaimedplaywright,actress, speaker and soloperformance artistof South Asian descent.Her career inplaywritingand performance arts started in 2008 after taking a class on writing a one-person play with Tekki Lominicki in April 2008. She has performed at educational institutions likePrinceton,Yale,University of Chicago,University of Oklahoma,Columbia University,University of Illinois and Stanford. And yes, she wears a hijab but that doesnt deter her from acting!15. Maliha Masood

Maliha Masoodis a Karachite who moved to US in 1982. She is an award-winning writer in creative nonfiction and the author of two travel memoirs. Her works include Zaatar Days, Henna Nights andDizzy In Karachi.Having selected for theJack Straw Foundation writers forum in 2005,Masoods writings on women, culture and Islam have been featured inmany prestigious publications.16. Heina Rizwan Mohammad This girl is the first female Police constable in Hong Kong, of South Asian descent. Having been recruited in 2012, she has served in Yuen Long district of Hong Kong.17. Fatima Ali

Fatima Ali is a chef whose specialty is Pakistan-spiced Western fare a combination that won her first prize on the American cooking show Chopped. Currentlysous-chef at Caf Centro, she plans to return to Pakistan to establish subsidized kitchens with cheap and organic food for the poor.18. Shama Zehra

Shama Zehrais the CEO of Wall Street firmAligned Independent Advisors.She began her career as an entrepreneur in the apparel industry in Pakistan in 1991 with a women apparel firm co-founded with her mother and sister. Shama worked with Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered Bank and MCB Bank, the largest private sector bank in Pakistan in early nineties.19. Shaan KandawallaShaan is the CEO ofPlayDate Digital which makes educational applications for kids. She started it in 2012 after many years of experience working at Nickelodeon and Hasbro. Apps produced by PlayDate feature Hasbro brands like Play-Doh, My Little Pony and Transformers.20. Mona Shaikh

Mona Shaikh, also known asThe Naughty Muslim Comedian,resides in Los Angeles, USA, pursing her career as a comedian and actor while developing her upcoming One-Hour Special and Comedy TV series. Recently, Mona hosted the Miss Pakistan World Pageant in New York City and also became the first Pakistani female Comedian to be selected for the Laughs Factory Funniest Person in the World Competition. Mona has been featured in The LA Weekly, New York Post, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post and BBC.21. Riffat Hassan

Riffat Hassanis aPakistani-Americantheologian and a leadingIslamic feminist scholar of theQuran.She also wrote the eleventh chapter ofTransforming the Faiths of our Fathers: Women who Changed American Religion(2004), edited by Ann Braude.She has taught at schools includingOklahoma State UniversityandHarvard University, and is currently a professor of Religious Studies at the University of Louisville,Kentucky...Naseem HamidNaseem Hamid is a Pakistani athlete. She was born Ist May , 1988 at Karachi in lower middle class family . The 22-year-old Nasim Hameed became South Asia's fastest woman by winning the 100-metre in the South Asian Federation Games (SAF) in DhakaNaseem Hameed is Pakistan's first female athlete to win the sprint in the competition's 26 year history.Former President Asif Ali Zardari appointed gold-winning Pakistan woman athletes Naseem Hamid a sports ambassadors to honor her extraordinary success.Carla KhanCarla Khan is a Pakistani women squash player. Carla Khan Was born on August 18, 1981 at London. She is grand daughter of legend Pakistan squash player Azam Khan .She started playing squash in England at age 12.She has won five titles in her career, which are: El Salvador Open 2002, Ottawa Open 2003, Pakistan Open 2005 and Iranian Open 2007 and Austrian Open in 2008. Through Carla Khans achievements she gained media coverage around the world and has been recognized as the Squash Queen of Pakistan, her fan base stretches worldwide including ex pats from Pakistan.her highest ranking of 21.In 2006 because of serious back injury Carla Khan then retired. However she made a come back in 2009 but later she again retire from sport .Carla is now pursuing a career in t.v, radio and writing.Kiran BalochKiran Baloch is a female Pakistani test cricketer. Kiran Baloch Was born on February 23, 1978 at Karachi. She is Right-hand batwoman. She is the record holder of the highest individual score in the international game. She scored 242 in the first cricket Test against the West Indies at the National Stadium Karachi. She played 3 test and 40 One day international matches for Pakistan. Ghalia MohsinGhalia Mohsin is a Pakistani woman table tennis star .Ghalia belongs from Karachi. She was known as Ghalia Khurshid before getting married with table tennis player Mohsin Raza. She won national championship in 2009 ,2010 and 2011 .She also won gold medal in World Team Table Tennis championship China. Ghalia is also 7 time winner of Karachi Table Tennis open .Her sister Maleeha Khursheed is also a table tennis player.Kiran KhanKiran Khan is a Pakistani female swimmer .Kiran Was born on December 21, 1989 at Lahore. She has represented Pakistan on many International forums namely Asian games at very young age. Kiran Khan has swam for the Pakistani team in the Asian Games as well as the Commonwealth Games, in addition to several other international swimming meets including the 2008 Summer Olympics .Kiran Khan won six silver and two bronze medals at Islamabad 2004 and another two silver and six bronze at Colombo 2006.After this performance she was named "Golden Girl". She revised Tamgha-E-Imtiaz in 2012.

Rubab RazaRubab Raza is a Pakistani swimmer .Rubab Was born on January 15, 1991 at Lahore. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece she became first Pakistani female swimmer to compete at the event when she contested the 50 meter freestyle.She has won two silver medals and one bronze in the ninth South Asian games held in Islamabad the year 2004 .Rubab has won a wild card entry for the 2004 Olympics due to her performances in swimming championships around the world. She also became the youngest sportswoman to represent Pakistan in any Olympics event when she took part in the 2004 Olympics at the age of 13.She has won a number of national titles, and has seen success at Asian swimming tournaments. Shabana AkhtarShabana Akhtar is a Pakistani athletes .She was born on born April 5, 1972 .She is FIRST Pakistani female athlete who participated in Atlanta Olympics 1996. She participated in Women International Games held in Islamabad - Pakistan in 1996 and won 4 Gold Medals with a new record in 100M and 200M. Shabana has the honour to represent Pakistan in a number of International EventsShe won 2 Gold Medals in 2nd Islamic Countries Women Sports Solidarity Games held in Tehran 1997.Sana Mir is a Pakistani woman cricketer . She was born on 5 January 1986 at Abboatabad. Sana is currently Caption of Pakistan women cricket team .She played her first One-day International Match against Sri Lnaka in 2005 at Karachi. She is all-rounder .She is right hand bat and legbreak bowler .She is very good cricketer . She is also the only Pakistani in the top 20 .

..Asma JahangirAsma Jahangir is a leading lawyer and the human rights activist. She was January 27, 1952 in Lahore. She done her graduation from Kinnaird College Lahore and LLB from Punjab University. Aasma Jahangir was the President Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan 2010 - 2011 .She served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Extra judicial, Arbitrary and Summary Executions. She is also chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.She has spent her career defending the human and women rights, rights of religious minorities and children in Pakistan. Aasima Jahangir is the author of many publications and 2 books. She got award of Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2010. She have 1 daughter and 1 son.

.Writers:Altaf FatimaAltaf Fatima is urdu writer . She was born in 1929 at Lukhnow India . She moved to Pakistan in 1947 after Partition. She is very famous fiction writer and novelist .She retired as a professor of Urdu. She has published many collections of short stories and novels.Her NovelDastak Na Doreceived a lot of success.An adaptation was presented on Pakistan television and an abridged translation was serialized by the prestigious Karachi monthly, Herald.

Bano QudsiaBano Qudsia is a urdu writer and playwright. She was born in 1928 at Ferozpur India . She moved to Lahore Pakistan in 1947 after Partition. She graduated from Kinnaird College in Lahore. In 1951, she completed her M.A. degree in Urdu from the Government College Lahore. She is very famous and popular writer and novelist .She wrote numerous short stories, novelettes, television and radio plays, and stage plays. She has written for television and stage in both the Urdu and Punjabi languages.She was married to famous writer Ashfaq Ahmed. She was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in and the Hilal-e-Imtiaz by Government of Pakistan

Haseena MoinHaseena Moin is a famous Urdu dramatist, playwright and writer. She was born in 20 November 1941 at Kanpur India .Her family moved to Rawalpindi Pakistan after Partition in 1947. She got her Master degree in history from Karachi University. Hasina Moin started writing plays for radio Pakistan and later she wrote plenty of popular drams for Pakistan Television her television plays have earned international repute. Ankahi , Tanhaiyaan , Dhund , Aahut , Dhoop Kinay , Uncle urfi , AansooPal do Pal and Dhundle Raste are some of her super hit TV serials.Fehmida RiazFehmida Riaz is a Urdu writer and poet. She was born in July 28, 1946 at Meerut India .She was already making poetry at this young age. Fahmida spend a few years in UK after his first marriage where she worked with the BBC Urdu service and got a degree in film making. Her writings are recognized equally at national and international level. Her work has been translated into French, German and Russian Languages.Pathar Ke Zaban , Dodavari , Karachi ,Dhoop and Adhoora Aadmi are some of her famous books. Fahmida Riaz is currently MD Urdu Dictionary Board. She received Sitara -e- Imtiaz on 23 March 2010 by the President of Pakistan and Presidential Pride of Performance Award for Literature: Poetry .Bushra RehmanBushra Rehman is a writer , Politician ,columnist and author . She was born in August 28, 1946 at Bahawalpur. She got a master degree in journalism from Punjab University Lahore.She was member of National Assembly on reserved seats for women in General Election 2002 and 2008 . She was elected as a member of Punjab Assembly in 1985 and 1988 .She is author of many Novels and books .She is very popular writer in young generation of Pakistan. She is author of around 25 collections of short stories, novels, travelogues, and as newspaper columnist. She has also received Presidential Award Sitara-i-Imtiaz for her literary works in 2007.

Fatima Surayya BajiaFatima Surayya Bajia is novelist, playwright and drama writer of Pakistan. She was born September 1, 1930 at Hyderabad India .She is one of ten children, her other siblings include Anwar Maqsood, Zehra Nigah and Zubaida Tariq .Shama , Afshaan ,Arsoosa ,Zeenat, Ana , Aagahi , Ghar aik Nagar , Faraz Aik Karz ,Phool Rahi Sarsoon , Tasveer-e-Kainaat , Asaavari and Phool Rahi Sarsoon are some of her popular drama serials.She has been awarded various awards at home and abroad including Japan's highest civil award in recognition of her works and Pride of Performance Award for her services to the performing arts in Pakistan.

Razia ButtRazia Butt was a very popular urdu writer. She was born in May 19, 1924 at Rawalpindi . Her real name was Razia Niaz but she was famous with the name of Razia Butt.Razia Butt first naval was Naila published in 1946.She had written about 50 novels and more than 350 stories. She also wrote many radio plays. She was very popular story writer in women .Many drama serials and films were also made on her stories. Her famous contributions include Gul Bano, Bano, Naila, Namoo , Nooreen Saiqa Zindagi, Sarahand Aashi and many other.Razia Butt died in Lahore on 4 October 2012. She will ever enjoy a unique position among great novel writers and in the field of Urdu literature.Samina RajaSamina Raja was an Urdu poetess editor and translator. She was born in September 11, 1961 at Rahim Yar Khan. She held a Master degree in Urdu Literature from the University of Punjab, Lahore. She started writing poetry in 1973 and got published 12 books of poetry, two Kulliyat and one selection of romantic poetry..She worked in National Book Foundation as a consultant and editor of monthly Kitab in 1998. She also joined monthly Aassar as an editor the same year.Samina Raja was died on October 30 ,2012 at Islamabad. Parveen ShakirParveen Shakir was a famous female poet and civil servant . She was a good and very populor poet. She was born in November 24 , 1952 at Karachi .She hold P.hd degree , Master degree in English Literature and Master in business administration from the University of Punjab, Lahore. She joined civil service of Pakistan and worked in the Customs Department. .She started making poetry at her young age. Her first volume of poetry, Khushbu to great acclaim, in 1976 . She got published 6 books of poetry.Parvin Shakir married a Pakistani doctor Naseer Ali, with whom she had a son Syed Murad Ali but the marriage did not last long and ended in a divorce.Parveen Shakir was died on On 26 December 1994 in a road accident in Islamabad. She was awarded the Pride of Performance.Bapsi Sidhwais anovelist who writes in English and is resident in America. She is best known for her collaborative work withIndo-CanadianfilmmakerDeepa Mehta: Sidhwa wrote both the 1991 novelIce Candy Manwhich served as the basis for Mehta's 1998 filmEarthas well as the 2006 novelWater: A Novelwhich is based upon Mehta's 2005 filmWater. Sidhwa was born toParsiZoroastrianparents Peshotan and Tehmina Bhandara inKarachiand later moved with her family to Lahore. Awards Bunting Fellowship at Radcliffe/Harvard (1986) Visiting Scholar at the Rockefeller Foundation Center, Bellagio, Italy, (1991) Sitara-i-Imtiaz, (1991, Pakistan's highest national honor in the arts)[1] Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Writer's Award (1994)[1] Premio Mondello for Foreign Authors forWater(2007)[5] Inducted in the Zoroastrian Hall of Fame (2000)[1]Works Their Language of Love: published by Readings Lahore (2013, Pakistan.) Jungle Wala Sahib (Translation) (Urdu): Published by Readings Lahore (2012, Pakistan) City of Sin and Splendour: Writings on Lahore(2006, US) Water: A Novel(2006, US and Canada) Bapsi Sidhwa Omnibus(2001, Pakistan) An American Brat(1993, U.S.; 1995, India) Cracking India(1991, U.S.; 1992, India; originally published asIce Candy Man, 1988, England) The Bride(1982, England; 1983;1984, India; published asThe Pakistani Bride, 1990 US and 2008 US) The Crow Eaters(1978, Pakistan; 1979 &1981, India; 1980, England; 1982, US)

..Mossarat QadeemExecutive Director, PAIMAN Alumni TrustWith a mission of social change through innovative approaches, Mossarat Qadeem works directly with mothers to deradicalize extremist youth in Taliban strongholds and reintegrate male family members into communities. In moderating extremism in Pakistan, she chooses to "collaborate, not confront."She was a lecturer at Peshawar University in 1990, when just four of 180 professors were women, and has continued to break new ground. "Working with conservative religious clerics, we were successful often when we thought we would fail. Often, our own fears are the only thing stopping us from reaching out."Shehnaz AkbarRegional Coordinator, PAIMAN Alumni TrustShehnaz Akbar delivers services to disenfranchised communities and trains youth, government officials, religious scholars, and civil society actors on women's rights, gender-based violence, conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and democracy and governance.As a self-appointed local "peacekeeper" in the district of Rajanpur, she mediates between Sunni and Shia sects by convening meetings with religious leaders to discuss peace and security. She has convinced both communities to form peacekeeping volunteer groups comprised of young men who safeguard religious precessions and ceremonies, successfully diffusing tensions and reducing violence in the district.Naziha Syed AliFreelance JournalistNaziha Syed Ali is a freelance journalist and documentary film producer who focuses on human rights abuses and the rise of religious extremism in Pakistan. She has written extensively about militant organizations and the victims of terrorist violence, and has researched education and madrassa culture in Pakistan.Ali organizes seminars, festivals, and media campaigns that promote peace and freedom of expression. In early 2011, she helped organize a signature campaign and a cultural festival that drew over 30,000 people to Karachi to denounce hatred and intolerance.Farhat AsifEditor, The Diplomatic InsightAs a child in the war-torn region of Kashmir, Farhat Asif's father told her "conflict cannot end by starting another conflict, but through peace and dialogue." Motivated by his words and a desire to bring peace to her homeland, Asif later founded Pakistan's first Arabic/English bilingual magazine. The theme of the magazine is peace through informed dialogue, and it strives to promote understanding and tolerance.Prior to establishing the magazine, Asif worked at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, conducting research on women, peace, conflict, and development in Afghanistan and Pakistan.Tahira BalochOperations Officer, World Health OrganizationDr. Tahira Baloch is an operations officer for the World Health Organization, where she coordinates public health programs and oversees health emergency and disaster management projects in Balochistan province. She also manages the provision of free maternal health care to women at the district and provincial level.Baloch has worked for numerous UN Missions around the world and serves as a council member on the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. She conducts research and focus group discussions and convenes roundtable meetings with policymakers to convey the population's grievances and to advocate for sustainable solutions.Bushra HyderDirector, Qadims Lumiere School and CollegeLiving in Pakistan's most remote and volatile region along the border of Afghanistan -- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) -- Bushra Hyder has experienced first-hand the effects of increasing extremist violence in her homeland. Yet she says, "when terror comes to your doorstep, you cannot fear it; you cannot tolerate it anymore."Hyder established and directs her own high school that teaches students about other religions and cultures, promoting compassion and understanding. To help her community cope with frequent violence, she has created student "peace clubs" that visit a nearby hospital to meet with survivors of bomb attacks. Hyder also conducts trainings with young women on leadership, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and microenterprise, and lobbies local government and religious officials to implement peace curricula in schools throughout the region.Huma ChughtaiFreelance ConsultantBorn in Rawalpindi, Huma Chughtai is a freelance consultant with over 25 years of experience working in the areas of governance, gender and development, parliamentary capacity, judicial reform, and human rights. Chughtai practiced law and then served as a legislative researcher for the National Assembly of Pakistan, focusing on Sharia law, constitutional, legal, and judicial issues, women's rights, and parliamentary practices. At times, she serves as legal advisor to the Ministry of Women Development and the Women's Parliamentary Caucus.As a trainer for PAIMAN Alumni Trust, she teaches men, women, youth, and students about conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and human rights. Drawing on her expertise in Sharia law, she emphasizes the peaceful elements of Islam and links international conventions with Islamic tenets to counter the radical arguments that fuel extremism.Sameena ImtiazExecutive Director, Peace Education and Development (PEAD) FoundationSameena Imtiaz is an avid proponent of education to counter extremism. She leads training courses for youth groups, teachers, clergy, and community leaders to promote tolerance and nonviolence. She has authored school curricula and teacher training materials that promote cultural diversity and interfaith harmony, and she advocates for their implementation in religious and education institutions. She counseled the central government to include peace education in standard curricula and has pushed for the same goal at the provincial levels since decision-making on education was decentralized.Zarmina RafiqDistrict Coordinator, PAIMAN Alumni Trust

Zarmina Rafiq trains civil society actors, youth groups, and university students on peacebuilding and conflict transformation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Swat valley -- two of Pakistan's most remote, conflict-ridden regions. Drawing on her eight years as a district councilor, she also trains women councilors on advocacy, budgeting, gender-sensitivity, and legislative matters.Despite limits on women's mobility in FATA and Swat, Rafiq travels extensively to assess community needs. She has gained the trust of local leaders and has unusual access to the homes of families in these communities, even using kitchens as safe meeting spaces for groups of women to discuss how they are affected by extremism. Rafiq also meets with local government officials, parliamentarians, policymakers, and religious leaders to advocate around women's issues, peace education, and conflict resolution.Farida SadiqMaster Trainer, PAIMAN Alumni Trust and UN Development ProgrammeFarida Sadiq is an independent consultant and master trainer with over 12 years of experience in the field of conflict resolution, democracy, and governance. Sadiq conducts trainings and advocacy sessions with youth and local communities on conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Through these sessions, she has formed groups of "peace practitioners" who advocate for non-violence and help diffuse tensions among neighbors, families, and communities.She advocates to religious leaders in Punjab province for the inclusion of peace curricula in Pakistani schools. Sadiq also trains district councilors, government secretaries, and women seeking elected office on gender sensitization, voter education, women's empowerment, and leadership skills. She has trained more than 9,000 women leaders, the majority of who were eventually elected to office as district councilors and parliamentarians.Sonia SaharExecutive Director, Balochistan Foundation for DevelopmentSonia Sahar has over 11 years of experience in the development sector with expertise on gender, women's health, and women's political rights. She has worked extensively with political parties, government officials, and elected representatives to combat violence against women, advocating for the implementation of measures to ensure women's protection in conflict and disaster-affected areas. She provided technical support to Balochistan's provincial assembly to pass the United Nations' Safe Motherhood Resolution and assisted the province's women's parliamentary caucus in drafting their by-laws.