Maryam Nawaz due to join club of illustrious Pakistani women
Here follows a brief list of gifted Pakistani women who not only found a place in history books over decades
LAHORE: Punjab’s Chief Minister-elect Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former three-time Premier Nawaz Sharif, is not far from featuring in the illustrious club of celebrated Pakistani women, who have risen to prominent positions over the years and have made the country proud by winning laurels in different fields.
The 50-year-old Maryam is seemingly just a couple of days away from making history by being elected as the first-ever female chief minister of any province in the country. Here follows a brief list of gifted Pakistani women who not only found a place in history books over the decades but remain a role model for many to follow.
In 1988, Benazir Bhutto became the first-ever female head of government in the Islamic world. She was 35 then. This was a huge achievement for a country characterized by inadequate representation and gender marginalization.
Former First Lady, Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, was appointed the first-ever female governor of any province in Pakistan. She headed Sindh in that capacity. Her husband, Premier Liaquat Ali Khan, had served as the country’s first Premier from 1947 to 1951. She was also sent as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Italy and Tunisia.
Lieutenant General Nigar Johar was the first woman in the history of the Pakistan Army to rise to this rank. She was decorated with civil awards like the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military) and was also the recipient of the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal for rendering laudable services in the Army Medical Corps from the Prime Minister of Pakistan. She has also received the Hilal-i-Imtiaz Award.