Women’s day: Baloch women make their mark in significant spheres

Pakistan, like rest of the world, is celebrating achievements of women on the International Women’s Day on Saturday.  

Federal as well as Provincial government provide enabling environment and immense opportunities to its women similar to men.

While Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and most resource-rich province, continues to grapple with systemic challenges for women, a wave of trailblazing women is rewriting the narrative.

From climate activism to literary acclaim, sports to political leadership, Balochistan’s women are emerging as global role models while addressing grassroots struggles.

Baloch women are not only the pride of Balochistan but the whole Pakistan as they have proved themselves in every domain at home and abroad.

Some of the noticeable women from the province are:

ASP Pari Gul Tareen

ASP Pari Gul Tareen from Pishin is a CSS officer who cleared superior services in 2020 and is currently serving as head of Women and Juvenile Facilitation Centre in Quetta.

Justice Tahira Safdar

Justice Tahira Safdar was the first ever woman Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court.

Batool Asadi

Pride of Balochistan, Batool Asadi was the first ever female Assistant Commissioner (AC) Quetta.

Saira Batool

Baloch women are not behind anyone in Armed Forces. Saira Batool was the first female fighter pilot from Balochistan.

Zakia Jamali

Zakia Jamali is the first female commissioned Naval officer.

PSP officer Shazia Sarwar

PSP officer Shazia Sarwar, a Baloch lady who had remained DPO in Layya, Punjab is a strong Baloch woman hailing from Bolan, a place which was a target of BLA in Mach attack.

Women of Balochistan are not represented by those who were exploited by terrorists like Sharri Baloch, Summaiya Qalandrani, Mahl Baloch, Ganjatoon or terrorists’ sympathizers like Naela Qadri and Mahrang Baloch.

Women are a soft target of terrorists organisations of BLA/BLF where a young girl Mahrosh Baloch (daughter of Suicide bomber Sharri Baloch) remains in custody of BLA.

They are also soft target of manipulation of terrorist and militants of BLA/BLF like Mahal Baloch was used to transport suicide jacket in February 2023 to avoid suspicion of LEAs.