Women in Leadership Network in Pakistan is part of a larger network of Australia Awards alumnae throughout South and West Asia who are dedicated to maintaining ties with Australia and actively promoting and supporting women’s development.
Learn more about the most active members of the Australia Awards Women in Leadership Network in Pakistan, including who inspires them, the work they perform, and the changes they aspire to see in Pakistan.
1. 1. Aqsa Ali
1.1. Deputy Director—Punjab Audit
I want to work on poverty reduction, and I aspire to develop an accountability mechanism to govern non-state actors involved in micro-financing.
Aqsa Ali
1.2. Who inspires you?
My elder sister, who helped shape who I am now, is my biggest influence. She never gave up on me and pushed me to conquer any challenges.
1.3. What changes do you want to drive in Pakistan?
I wish to focus on poverty alleviation and hope to create an accountability framework for non-state players engaging in microfinance. Personally, I feel that inclusion entails acceptance on all levels as a separate and substantial component of economic success.
1.4. Tell us more about you?
I enjoy travelling and reading, and I am interested in saving and investing. I am happily single and enjoy my independence.
1.5. Fields of work
- Accounting, Auditing and Management of Government Finances
1.6. Education
- Master of Public Administration from the University of Melbourne, Australia (made possible through an Australia Awards Scholarship)
- MA in English literature and Postgraduate Diploma in English Language Teaching from the University of the Punjab, Pakistan
1.7. Social Life – Aqsa Ali
2. 2. Alima Bibi
2.1. National Project Officer Education—UNESCO Islamabad
I am passionate about education for girls, marginalised communities, minorities, and people living in harsh and difficult environments.
Alima Bibi
2.2. Who inspires you?
Maria Montessori, in recognition of her vision and commitment to teacher education.
Malala Yousafzai, for her tenacity in advocating for education, particularly for females.
Samina Baig and Muniba Mazari for their contributions to breaking down preconceptions and taboos.
Dr Ruth Pfau, for her lifetime contributions to mankind.
Asma Jahangir, in recognition of her services to social justice.
2.3. What changes do you want to drive in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, I aim to increase fair access to high-quality education. I am dedicated to fostering a peaceful and just society, encouraging acceptance of diversity, and strengthening social cohesiveness. Other improvements I wish to see include women’s empowerment, poverty reduction, and better access to water.
2.4. Tell us more about you?
I am the proud mother of a seven-year-old girl. I am deeply committed to education, particularly for females, marginalised populations, minorities, and individuals living in harsh and tough conditions.
2.5. Fields of work
- Education
- Policy Planning & Implementation
- Advocacy
2.6. Education
- Master of Education from Flinders University, Australia (made possible through an Australia Awards Scholarship)
2.7. Social Life – Alima Bibi
3. 3. Shahla Qureshi
3.1. Superintendent of Police (Operations) – City Division, Karachi
I want to motivate youth to serve the community.
Shahla Qureshi
3.2. Who inspires you?
In terms of politics, governance, and human rights, Benazir Bhutto, Asma Jahangir, and Margaret Thatcher stand out.
Bano Qudsia and Abida Parveen, for their enormous contributions to Urdu literature, spiritualism, and Sufi music, respectively.
Bilquis Edhi and Dr Ruth Pfau for their humanitarian efforts.
3.3. What changes do you want to drive in Pakistan?
I want to influence change in Pakistan in order to promote the peaceful coexistence of all people, to educate and empower women, and to inspire young to serve the community.
3.4. Tell us more about you?
As Karachi’s first female Superintendent of Police (Operations), I fight to elevate poor and marginalised areas, educate young to join the government, and teach subordinates on sensitization of pro-women laws in Sindh. I am an avid reader and am happily single.
3.5. Fields of work
- Law Enforcement
- Educationist
3.6. Education
- MSc in Zoology (specialising in Entomology) from The University of Karachi
- Gold medallist in an International Congress of Zoology in 2008
- Australia Awards Short Course in Women in Policing (Leadership and Gender-Based Violence) from The University of Queensland (made possible through an Australia Awards Scholarship)
3.7. Social Life – Shahla Qureshi
4. 4. Dilshad Pari
4.1. Gender Specialist, UNFPA
Fouzia Saeed’s courageous approach and contribution as a women’s rights activist inspires me.
Dilshad Pari
4.2. Who inspires you?
Fouzia Saeed, for her bravery and work as a women’s rights activist.
4.3. What changes do you want to drive in Pakistan?
The reforms I wish to see in Pakistan are gender equality and inclusion.
4.4. Tell us more about you?
I am a gender and development expert with over 10 years of experience working with international organisations in Pakistan and abroad. I am a married woman with two children, a girl and a boy. I am originally from Chitral and presently reside in Islamabad.
4.5. Fields of work
- Social Worker
- Gender and Social Protection
4.6. Education
- Master of International Development from the University of Canberra, Australia (made possible through an Australia Awards Scholarship)
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