International Women's Day

Eight of March is International Women’s Day, an opportunity to celebrate the women’s
contributions, sacrifices and achievements around the world. The day to recognize the efforts,
they put in towards equal rights, gender equitation and women empowerment. Particularly in
Balochistan, women in Pakistan have risen to prove their resilience in several fields and have
shattered every possible barrier to be recognized at all as the pride of their province as well as
of the entire nation. The Federal and Provincial Governments have created enabling
environments and afforded women with unmatched opportunity to play on an equal with men
playing field in every sphere of the society.
Baloch women have, both at home and abroad, become excellent shining examples of
determination and excellence in different spheres of life. Their achievements range from law
enforcement as well as the Judiciary, the Armed Forces and civil administration. One of them
is ASP Pari Gul Tareen whose name is notable among them, a dedicated officer from Pishin
who cleared the CSS examination in 2020. To this end, she served as the head of Women and
Juvenile Facilitation Centre in Quetta, and she is still working there and spreading and

making right and protecting the vulnerable segments of the society. The story of her success
is an example for many young women who want to enter the civil service.
The first ever woman Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court is another exemplary figure,
one is Justice Tahira Safdar. The appointment of her was a milestone in the history of
Pakistan’s judiciary and her services led the path to the careers of other women in legal
professions. It is a clear indication of the possibilities for Baloch women to adhere to the
principles of justice and fairness in their career.
Similarly, Batool Asadi put a first on her record when she became the first female Assistant
Commissioner (AC) of Quetta. Her appointment to this key administrative role indicates a
real shift in gender representation in government institutions, that women can handle as good
a leadership in the bureaucratic structure as men.
The armed forces of the country have also been making their mark in the country with the
Baloch women. She was Saira Batool, who shattered gender barriers as the first female
fighter pilot from Balochistan, the first woman who proved that women are as good as
serving as a man in the high-risk military roles. Similarly, Baloch women were making a
name for themselves in the defence sector through Zakia Jamali, the first female commission
officer in the Pakistan Navy.
A strong Baloch woman from Bolan who has served as the District Police Officer (DPO) in
Layyah Punjab is Shazia Sarwar, a PSP officer. Baloch women’s journey is an embodiment of
courage and commitment of their women to do whatever they can to ensure law and order
even in regions under the grip of insurgency and militant threats.
Also, for many Baloch women dedication and hard work has resulted in their being placed on
top, but a few have been manipulated by various terrorist organizations like Balochistan
Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). Significantly, this must be said:
women such as Sharri Baloch, Summaiya Qalandrani, Mahl Baloch, and Ganjatoon were
used intentionally by terrorists for their secret purposes. Likewise, people such as Naela
Qadri and Mahrang Baloch, who wish to propagate narratives of militancy, are not
characteristic of the raw power and courage of Baloch women.
Women have been exploited by terrorist organizations to perform unlawful activities as soft
targets. The tragic example is Mahrosh Baloch, the daughter of suicide bomber Sharri Baloch
who is under captivity of the BLA, a trait of terrorist outfits holding the innocent lives for
ransom. Mahal Baloch who was used to transport a suicide jacket in February 2023, which
shows that militants exploit women to avoid the suspicion of the law enforcement agencies.

Even with this challenge, most Baloch women have stood up against the terrorism and fight
for a progressive tomorrow. As an example, they are excelling in education, medicine,
politics and social work proving that they are contributing to the development of Pakistan. It
is a testimony to the fact that Balochistan is not only home to brave and talented women,
instead, are the ones who aspire to make a difference in the society.
These women need to be addressed by government and civil society to provide them with
more chances of education, employability and security to enable their growth and protection.
Investment in the empowerment of women will not only engender better socialising of the
population but also contribute to Pakistan becoming a more inclusive and prosperous country.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the brave Baloch women who are resisting
odds and making their stride in the annals of history. Their persistence, and the work they did,
is a source of hope for future generations and a reminder that if you determine to have
persistence, all challenges are surmountable.