Who is Alishba Khan Barech? Pakistani novelist wins ‘Young Woman of the Year’ award

A 16-year-old literary phenom from Pakistan’s Balochistan province, Alisbha Khan Barech, claimed the Young Woman of the Year title at the 2025 Women Changing the World Awards in London on Thursday, spotlighting untapped talent from one of the nation’s most marginalized regions.

Barech, the youngest self-published author in Pakistan’s history, emerged victorious among 751 nominees spanning 50+ countries. Hailing from Nushki—a district often overshadowed by Balochistan’s security challenges—her win underscores a narrative of defiance against geographical and societal constraints.

A Trailblazer’s Portfolio

• Penned her debut novel at 11, a memoir at 14, and self-published her work by 16
• Serves as a UNICEF Pakistan ambassador for mental health and polio eradication
• Youth advisor to PM Shehbaz Sharif and National Youth Council member
• First female Pashtun from South Asia to earn a merit scholarship to Oxford’s John Locke Summer University

While her literary feats garnered attention, Barech’s activism and policy advocacy cemented her global recognition. As a Quetta Gladiators youth ambassador, she merges cultural outreach with sports diplomacy, while her UN-backed polio campaigns have reached remote Baloch villages.