RIBUTE TO WOMEN LEADERS ACROSS PAKISTAN FIGHTING AT THE FOREFRONT AGAINST COVID-19 DR. SANIA NISHTAR ANNAT HUSSAIN NEKOKARA NIDA KAZMI SUHAI AZIZ TALPUR DR YASMIN RASHID DR. AZRA PECHUHO For more info visit our website www.pakvoter.org/wie/women-leaders-in-pandemic/

1. WOMEN LEADERS IN PANDEMIC
TRIBUTE TO WOMEN LEADERS ACROSS PAKISTAN FIGHTING
AT THE FOREFRONT AGAINST COVID-19
WWW.PAKVOTER.ORG/WIE

2. DR. SANIA NISHTAR
 Dr Sania Nishtar, who does not know this name anymore! This Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation is an exquisite
leader in her own ways. One can only dream of what she has achieved in her life. With her unique combination of experience in government institutions, civil
society and international organizations, she is playing a key role in the current situation of Pakistan.
 After launching a non-profit institution Heartfile, she has made her ways into policymaking paradigm of Pakistan. After proving her skills at several prominent
positions, she, also, served as the Federal Minister in-the Pakistan Caretaker Government. She revolutionized the Ministry of Health of Pakistan which led to
reforms in Pakistan medical regulatory body. Devising and authoring Pakistan’s first health reform plan, Pakistan’s first compendium of health statistics, and
the country’s first national public health plan for Noncommunicable Diseases are among her remarkable works.
 Currently, Dr Sania is serving as Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation and Chairperson of Benazir Income Support
Program. She is at the forefront of Ehsaas, a program launched by the Government of Pakistan to tackle poverty and its related problems. Recently, the
Pakistan government launched Ehsaas Emergency Cash for job-loss affected people and protecting the poor in Pakistan amidst Covid-19.
 Dr. Sania has taken all the essential measures to ensure the implementation of this program. With her negotiation and consensus-building skills, she is
inventing policies to protect the vulnerable in the pandemic. She is strengthening the institutional mechanisms through the use of technology bringing
innovation and transparency in official businesses. Her current efforts are not just circling around the poverty alleviation but also the betterment of public
health systems in Pakistan.
 Dr Nishtar is doing all she can to deliver to the people of Pakistan by safeguarding the democratic principles of transparency and rule of law. She is an
exemplary woman who can lead and inspire. Dr Nishtar is the face of Pakistan, she is an image that the world needs to look at. Despite being in a
developing country, she is an inspiration for the developed world that she is a custodian of leadership and a true server of people. We are proud of our
women!

3. JANNAT HUSSAIN NEKOKARA
 On December 10, 2019, Jannat Hussain came into limelight after speaking for the provision of equal human rights to
minorities in Pakistan on International Human Rights Day in Attock. She is among the active faces of Pakistan bureaucracy.
From human rights to animal rights, she intends to work on progressive policy implementation in Pakistan. This lady who
hails from Chiniot is also a strong advocate of women rights in Pakistan and, clearly, spoken out for women rights as a public
official. In her interview to Gulf News, she said, “I joined Pakistan Administrative Service with a passion to do my humble bit
in contributing to the welfare of Pakistani society. Subjects like girls’ education, improved provision of health and nutrition
services, human dignity and equality, environmental conservation and social inclusion are very close to my heart.”
 When only two COVID-19 cases were reported in Pakistan, Attock was one the districts that started taking precautionary
measures; Miss Jannat as being a district administrator, in collaboration with health authorities initiated the screening
procedures of pilgrims from Iran. Although Jannat faced backlash for her comments on minority rights, yet her efforts
towards a welfare society led her to set precedent for other public officials. Jannat Hussain is the lady Pakistan take pride in.
She is a vital part of Pakistan’s bureaucracy. Many women in Pakistan want to prove themselves by serving humanity but,
sometimes, our social constructs barricade their ways to their dream. We should establish a society where the likes of
Jannat Hussain are appreciated so that this foundation of a welfare state can be strengthened.

4. NIDA KAZMI
 Known as the Dabang Lady of Quetta, Nida Kazmi is serving as Assistant Commissioner Quetta. Ms. Kazmi hails from
Quetta. Her family has been a victim of terrorism. She has lost her father in a terror attack back in 2005. She is the eldest
daughter of the family. Against all odds, she passed CSS exams and joined civil services as Director Operations Balochistan
Food Authority. Though she is already a household name in Quetta, when it comes to her administrative skills and her
empowered role as a female officer, during this Corona pandemic outbreak, she has emerged as the frontline Leader.
 Ms. Kazmi led the COVID-19 awareness drive in Quetta. Along with the awareness-raising, she has also ensured the full
implementation of Lockdown in Quetta. She is continuously working to implement the SOPs during the pandemic outbreak.
She has led many crack-down operations on those selling expensive petrol, meat and other food items in the city; and
ignoring the safety precautions against corona. She is a staunch supporter of women rights, inclusion and equal
opportunities for all. Ms. Kazmi is not only a pride of Quetta, but the whole of Pakistan takes pride in. Women in Elections,
(WiE) appreciates her efforts in curtailing COVID outbreak in Quetta and wish her all the power.

5. SUHAI AZIZ TALPUR
 On November 23, 2018 Chinese Consulate in Karachi was attacked by three terrorists. This attempted terror attack was foiled by a young and
courageous lady Suhai Aziz Talpur. A successful operation led by Miss Suhai Aziz, against those terrorist actors, saved the lives of many innocent
civilians. Suhai was the name celebrated not just in Pakistan but also in all over of China. She was praised for her efforts by provincial and federal
government officials. “Suhai Aziz, you have set an example of bravery. These are the women who are ahead of everyone,” said the Chief Minister of
Sindh Murad Ali Shah during a briefing to the Chinese consul general.
 Miss Suhai joined the Civil Services of Pakistan in 2013. She has honored her family name by becoming the first female Assistant Superintendent
of Police (ASP) from Lower Sindh. She belongs to a lower middle-class family of Bhai Khan Talpur village in Tando Muhammad Khan district in Sindh.
Her desire to be a part of a positive social change wasn’t appreciated by her relatives, but she had her father’s support and courage of her own. She
kept moving forward and, eventually, set an example for many young girls by joining the profession once believed that only men can join. This strong
woman is also a proud mother, she is as much dedicated to her family as to her service for country. Suhai’s life is perfect example that explains that
woman can do anything, that they are equal to men when it comes to responsibilities, obligations and sacrifices.
 Suhai is now serving as the Superintendent of Police (SP) District Sujawal, Sindh. She is at the forefront of maintaining law and order during the
current pandemic. With a significant rise in unemployment, a rise in crime rate has also being experienced in many parts of the country. Miss Suhai is
making sure that these activities ought not to happen under any circumstances and justice be delivered at its best.

6. DR YASMIN RASHID
Dr. Yasmin Rashid is the current Provincial Minister of Punjab for Primary & Secondary Healthcare, Specialized Healthcare & Medical
Education. This member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) comes from a family of social and public workers. Her father was a pilot and her
mother was a doctor who served Pakistan for a valuable time. Her father-in-law was a former Education Minister of Pakistan. Dr. Yasmin is
not an overnight success, her student activism, during her college years, laid the foundations for her social and political career.
Before politics, Dr. Yasmin served as a professor of obstetrics and gynecology for Government of Punjab. After her retirement, she
participated in social services by raising awareness on maternal and reproductive health. She also headed the Pakistan Medical Association
to protect the rights of doctors in the country from 1998-2000.
On August 15, 2018, took an oath to serve this country and ever since she is dynamically seen on television screens. She has taken the
charge to revolutionize the health sector of Punjab. One needs to admire this lady’s effort to cope with current crisis. Punjab is the biggest
province of Pakistan population wise. The administrative control of this area demands iron strength. Dr. Yasmin has done justice with her
role by paving the ways for government policies by taking the right decisions at the right time. She faced criticism by many on her
statements and actions regarding current pandemic but the morale never went down and she kept going with her powers. She is making
sure that people get access to facts-based information to make informed decisions during COVID-19 crisis. She is keeping the wheels of
governments of right track and leading a team with confidence and energy.

7. DR. AZRA PECHUHO
Dr. Azra is the sister of former President of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari. She is currently serving as the Provincial Minister of Health and
Population Welfare of Sindh province. This physician and surgeon by training is affiliated with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and is a three-
time member of National Assembly of Pakistan. Dr. Azra is also serving as the chancellor of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science
and Technology (SZABIST).
Dr. Azra has provided substantial insights to Sindh Government on the current pandemic. Her work has helped establish hospitals and care
centers all across the Sindh through which hundreds and thousands of patients have been recovered. She believes that media plays a
massive role in spreading information literacy that’s why Dr. Azra is working along with media to disseminate real information to masses.
Dr. Azra is fighting at the forefront along with doctors and paramedic staff to combat this crisis. Her actions represent a message of hope for
the people of Sindh. She is making sure that no one is left behind and the medical community gets the respect they truly deserve. Dr. Azra is
a leader of both women and men. She is an inspiration for not only a woman but for men of this nation as well.