As the world bids farewell to 2024, let’s celebrate the achievements of five remarkable Pakistani women who broke barriers and shattered stereotypes in fields ranging from politics to sports, mountaineering, music, and accountancy.
1. Maryam Nawaz Sharif: Pakistan’s First Female Chief Minister
In February 2024, Maryam Nawaz Sharif made history as the first woman to be elected chief minister of a Pakistani province. Leading her Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party to a landmark victory, she assumed leadership of Punjab, the country’s richest and most populous province.
Maryam, daughter of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, has been a prominent political figure since formally joining politics in 2012. Her leadership became more visible during her father’s exile in the UK (2019-2023), where she organized anti-government rallies against former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Critics have attributed her rise to Pakistan’s feudal political system, but her historic election remains a testament to her political perseverance.
2. Ayla Majid: Global Leader in Accountancy
In November 2024, Ayla Majid became the first South Asian and Muslim to lead the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) as its global president. Heading a network of over 252,500 members and 526,000 future members across 180 countries, Majid is making strides in the field of global accountancy.
With more than 20 years of experience in energy, sustainability, and corporate governance, she is also CEO of a firm specializing in decarbonization and energy transitions. Majid, a graduate of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and the University of London, represents a new wave of leadership in the financial world.
3. Arooj Aftab: Grammy Trailblazer
Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab secured her fourth consecutive Grammy nomination in 2024. Her single Raat Ki Rani was nominated for Best Global Music Performance, while her album Night Reign was recognized in the Best Alternative Jazz Album category.
In 2022, Aftab became the first Pakistani to win a Grammy, taking home the award for her song Mohabbat. Her continued success is a beacon of inspiration for South Asian artists on the global stage.
4. Naila Kiani: Conquering the World’s Highest Peaks
In May, Dubai-based mountaineer Naila Kiani became the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain. This achievement marked her as the only Pakistani woman to have scaled 11 of the 14 peaks towering over 8,000 meters.
A banker and mother of two, Kiani first gained attention in 2018 when her wedding photos from K2’s base camp went viral. Honored with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in March 2024 for climbing Mount Everest, she continues to inspire with her record-breaking feats.
5. Saleema Imtiaz: Pioneering in Cricket Umpiring
Saleema Imtiaz broke new ground in September 2024 by becoming the first Pakistani woman nominated to the International Cricket Council’s International Panel of Development Umpires. This milestone qualifies her to officiate in women’s bilateral international matches and ICC Women’s Events.
A trailblazer since joining the Pakistan Cricket Board Women’s Umpires Panel in 2008, Imtiaz has officiated in major tournaments, including the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cups in 2022 and 2024. She is also the mother of Pakistan women’s cricket player Kainat Imtiaz, further cementing her family’s legacy in the sport.
