Agriculture sector must declare as an industry to protect the agrarian women labour rights because they as agrarian, WHBW and domestic labor force contributing 25 percent of our GDP ..


Women worker’s contribution in agriculture is still unrecognized and overlooked. Agriculture must declare as an “industry” and protect agrarian workers’ rights in labour laws. It is immense need to develop a road map for the promotion and protection of agrarian women workers’ rights in provincial legislative and policy framework of labour.


Chairperson, Women Rights Commission Mahnaz Rafi said that sex and gender-desegregated data is lacking, in general, and thus impacts negatively on women’s status. Ensure free and mandatory registration of all labour (women and men) in all the non-formal sectors of the economy, including, most importantly, the agricultural, HBWs and domestic labour force, which alone contributes over 25% of the GDP.


Mumtaz Mughal, Resident Director Auart Foundation urges to develop new definitions and standards of economic indicators in order to accord greater visibility of “invisible work force” and to complete the gaps and weaknesses in statistical records. Currently left out majority of women who work as unpaid agricultural labour (family helpers), domestic workers and home-based workers (HBWs) in the non-formal and non- unionized labour sector contribution in agriculture is unrecognized, unpaid, underrated, and overlooked. Acknowledging the Punjab government efforts towards women’s empowerment and gender equality, agriculture must declare as an “industry” and protect agrarian workers’ rights in labour laws. It is immense need to develop a road map for the promotion and protection of agrarian women workers’ right as labour rights in provincial legislative and policy framework of labour.


Ms. Shameela Aslam, MPA PML-N and business women said that there is need to create an environment that encourages rural women’s increased participation in decision-making, on leadership, public-speaking, trade union, cooperatives and associations. Trade union leaders must create a trust worthy environment for agrarian women workers by providing them leadership opportunities and positions. Women representation must be mandatory in all price control, anjuman tajrans and other forums and committees.


Ms. Faiza Malik, MPA PPPP said that we are in era of technological revolution and agrarian women have often been excluded from agrarian reform and training programmes in new agricultural methods. It is essential to modernize and reconsider trade policies from a more feminist outlook.


Sadia Sohail, MPA PTI said that expedite legislation for the mandatory registration and identification of all women agricultural workers as a basic right. Provincial governments must introduce the social welfare state model to better safeguard and improve workers’ rights and protection. There is need to make an effective monitoring and accountability mechanism on the implantation of labour laws.


Ms. Qasira Ismail, Member PCSW shared that rural women’s access to credit is limited, complex procedures for securing credit; bias in lending institutions and fiscal regulations, lack of knowledge regarding credit programmes and opportunities including women’ s mobility also restrict women’s access to credit institutions.


Ms. Sara Sheraz, Manager Inspired+ Pakistan Programme highlighted the discriminatory barriers and sociocultural rigidities which remains the significant reasons hindering women from gaining effective control of property, assets and resources and restricting their mobility within workplace or employment and self-employment structures. She emphasized on establishment of effective engender grievance reporting and redressal mechanisms to address gender discrimination and harassment at workplace and public place.


Nabeela Shaheen Advocate said that working women’s representation in the local power structures, such as at the ward, union council, town, district or provincial and national level, is limited. There is need to reserve peasant/workers seats in local bodies system at all level. She also said that government should take up legislative initiatives that promote equality in the wage system, more flexible working arrangements, increase the status of women in agriculture, home enterprises, and female-dominated professions in the informal sector.


Participants also demanded that the right of women agricultural workers to be registered as independent Women Heads of Households (WHHs) where indicated, especially women who are single, divorced, separated or widowed; institute special measures and affirmative action for them. Ensure legislation to safeguard the right of all agricultural workers, women and men, to a fair, just, decent, minimum wage. Encourage women farmers to form trade unions, associations and cooperatives. Government should establish pension and social security schemes for rural women their contributions from both “productive” and “reproductive” work. They also stressed upon strengthen and strictly adhere to the law banning Bonded Labour in urban, e.g. street beggars, brick kiln workers; in rural, e.g. agricultural workers/peasants/haaris/mazaaras, etc; and common everywhere: generational forced domestic labour.

Focus Group Discussion to Define and Uncover Issues Faced by Agrarian Women Workers

Aurat Foundation has organized focus group discussion on 23rd February 2018 by INSPIRED+Team Aurat Foundation Lahore. Participants were from Civil society, MPAs, Members from various service proving institutes /Banks and individual experts to discuss and define participatory policy analysis (PPA) – policy research in the area of socio-economic rights of women.

The main findings of the first discussion were: There’s no recognition of socio-economic rights of agrarian women in labor policy. There is a need to establish agrarian women network/ federation. There’s no safety and protection mechanism for agrarian women workers. There’s no dispute resolution mechanism for agrarian women. 


While speaking on the occasion, Justice ® Nasira Javed Iqbal said, “Women should make their independent unions for demanding their rights .Although it is the prime duty of the local governments to educate women at grassroots level. In near future, there will be no space to live, everyone is making shopping malls and residential colonies on agricultural land. We cannot protect agricultural land and we are talking about preserving the rights of agrarian women. There is a need for serious legislation and implementation to make our country great.”


Mumtaz Mughal said, “To maintain the GSP Plus status we have to maintain 27 conventions. Women in agriculture have registered land but they do not have any possession- loans are sanctioned on their name but they do not receive any loan amount. Women working in agriculture are less educated as compared to their male counterparts. Women in agriculture are not involved in decision making. They do not have access to health facilities, social protection, safety nets and micro-credit. There is no daycare centre for the infants.
Nasim Iqbal Chairperson President Mathilda Majlis said that   “This is an election year; women have a very strong and beneficial time to put their demands on the table. We should jointly assist and engage all the political parties and ask them to add this to their manifesto, so they can work for the betterment of agrarian women”
 

Focus Group Discussion to Define and Uncover Issues Faced by Agrarian Women Workers

Aurat Foundation has organized focus group discussion on 23rd February 2018 by INSPIRED+Team Aurat Foundation Lahore. Participants were from Civil society, MPAs, Members from various service proving institutes /Banks and individual experts to discuss and define participatory policy analysis (PPA) – policy research in the area of socio-economic rights of women.

The main findings of the first discussion were: There’s no recognition of socio-economic rights of agrarian women in labor policy. There is a need to establish agrarian women network/ federation. There’s no safety and protection mechanism for agrarian women workers. There’s no dispute resolution mechanism for agrarian women. 


While speaking on the occasion, Justice ® Nasira Javed Iqbal said, “Women should make their independent unions for demanding their rights .Although it is the prime duty of the local governments to educate women at grassroots level. In near future, there will be no space to live, everyone is making shopping malls and residential colonies on agricultural land. We cannot protect agricultural land and we are talking about preserving the rights of agrarian women. There is a need for serious legislation and implementation to make our country great.”


Mumtaz Mughal said, “To maintain the GSP Plus status we have to maintain 27 conventions. Women in agriculture have registered land but they do not have any possession- loans are sanctioned on their name but they do not receive any loan amount. Women working in agriculture are less educated as compared to their male counterparts. Women in agriculture are not involved in decision making. They do not have access to health facilities, social protection, safety nets and micro-credit. There is no daycare centre for the infants.
Nasim Iqbal Chairperson President Mathilda Majlis said that   “This is an election year; women have a very strong and beneficial time to put their demands on the table. We should jointly assist and engage all the political parties and ask them to add this to their manifesto, so they can work for the betterment of agrarian women”
 

Focus Group Discussion to Define and Uncover Issues Faced by Agrarian Women Workers

Aurat Foundation has organized focus group discussion on 23rd February 2018 by INSPIRED+Team Aurat Foundation Lahore. Participants were from Civil society, MPAs, Members from various service proving institutes /Banks and individual experts to discuss and define participatory policy analysis (PPA) – policy research in the area of socio-economic rights of women.

The main findings of the first discussion were: There’s no recognition of socio-economic rights of agrarian women in labor policy. There is a need to establish agrarian women network/ federation. There’s no safety and protection mechanism for agrarian women workers. There’s no dispute resolution mechanism for agrarian women. 


While speaking on the occasion, Justice ® Nasira Javed Iqbal said, “Women should make their independent unions for demanding their rights .Although it is the prime duty of the local governments to educate women at grassroots level. In near future, there will be no space to live, everyone is making shopping malls and residential colonies on agricultural land. We cannot protect agricultural land and we are talking about preserving the rights of agrarian women. There is a need for serious legislation and implementation to make our country great.”


Mumtaz Mughal said, “To maintain the GSP Plus status we have to maintain 27 conventions. Women in agriculture have registered land but they do not have any possession- loans are sanctioned on their name but they do not receive any loan amount. Women working in agriculture are less educated as compared to their male counterparts. Women in agriculture are not involved in decision making. They do not have access to health facilities, social protection, safety nets and micro-credit. There is no daycare centre for the infants.
Nasim Iqbal Chairperson President Mathilda Majlis said that   “This is an election year; women have a very strong and beneficial time to put their demands on the table. We should jointly assist and engage all the political parties and ask them to add this to their manifesto, so they can work for the betterment of agrarian women”
 

Focus Group Discussion to Define and Uncover Issues Faced by Agrarian Women Workers

Aurat Foundation has organized focus group discussion on 23rd February 2018 by INSPIRED+Team Aurat Foundation Lahore. Participants were from Civil society, MPAs, Members from various service proving institutes /Banks and individual experts to discuss and define participatory policy analysis (PPA) – policy research in the area of socio-economic rights of women.

The main findings of the first discussion were: There’s no recognition of socio-economic rights of agrarian women in labor policy. There is a need to establish agrarian women network/ federation. There’s no safety and protection mechanism for agrarian women workers. There’s no dispute resolution mechanism for agrarian women. 


While speaking on the occasion, Justice ® Nasira Javed Iqbal said, “Women should make their independent unions for demanding their rights .Although it is the prime duty of the local governments to educate women at grassroots level. In near future, there will be no space to live, everyone is making shopping malls and residential colonies on agricultural land. We cannot protect agricultural land and we are talking about preserving the rights of agrarian women. There is a need for serious legislation and implementation to make our country great.”


Mumtaz Mughal said, “To maintain the GSP Plus status we have to maintain 27 conventions. Women in agriculture have registered land but they do not have any possession- loans are sanctioned on their name but they do not receive any loan amount. Women working in agriculture are less educated as compared to their male counterparts. Women in agriculture are not involved in decision making. They do not have access to health facilities, social protection, safety nets and micro-credit. There is no daycare centre for the infants.
Nasim Iqbal Chairperson President Mathilda Majlis said that   “This is an election year; women have a very strong and beneficial time to put their demands on the table. We should jointly assist and engage all the political parties and ask them to add this to their manifesto, so they can work for the betterment of agrarian women”
 

Focus Group Discussion to Define and Uncover Issues Faced by Agrarian Women Workers

Aurat Foundation has organized focus group discussion on 23rd February 2018 by INSPIRED+Team Aurat Foundation Lahore. Participants were from Civil society, MPAs, Members from various service proving institutes /Banks and individual experts to discuss and define participatory policy analysis (PPA) – policy research in the area of socio-economic rights of women.

The main findings of the first discussion were: There’s no recognition of socio-economic rights of agrarian women in labor policy. There is a need to establish agrarian women network/ federation. There’s no safety and protection mechanism for agrarian women workers. There’s no dispute resolution mechanism for agrarian women. 


While speaking on the occasion, Justice ® Nasira Javed Iqbal said, “Women should make their independent unions for demanding their rights .Although it is the prime duty of the local governments to educate women at grassroots level. In near future, there will be no space to live, everyone is making shopping malls and residential colonies on agricultural land. We cannot protect agricultural land and we are talking about preserving the rights of agrarian women. There is a need for serious legislation and implementation to make our country great.”


Mumtaz Mughal said, “To maintain the GSP Plus status we have to maintain 27 conventions. Women in agriculture have registered land but they do not have any possession- loans are sanctioned on their name but they do not receive any loan amount. Women working in agriculture are less educated as compared to their male counterparts. Women in agriculture are not involved in decision making. They do not have access to health facilities, social protection, safety nets and micro-credit. There is no daycare centre for the infants.
Nasim Iqbal Chairperson President Mathilda Majlis said that   “This is an election year; women have a very strong and beneficial time to put their demands on the table. We should jointly assist and engage all the political parties and ask them to add this to their manifesto, so they can work for the betterment of agrarian women”
 

Focus Group Discussion to Define and Uncover Issues Faced by Agrarian Women Workers

Aurat Foundation has organized focus group discussion on 23rd February 2018 by INSPIRED+Team Aurat Foundation Lahore. Participants were from Civil society, MPAs, Members from various service proving institutes /Banks and individual experts to discuss and define participatory policy analysis (PPA) – policy research in the area of socio-economic rights of women.

The main findings of the first discussion were: There’s no recognition of socio-economic rights of agrarian women in labor policy. There is a need to establish agrarian women network/ federation. There’s no safety and protection mechanism for agrarian women workers. There’s no dispute resolution mechanism for agrarian women. 


While speaking on the occasion, Justice ® Nasira Javed Iqbal said, “Women should make their independent unions for demanding their rights .Although it is the prime duty of the local governments to educate women at grassroots level. In near future, there will be no space to live, everyone is making shopping malls and residential colonies on agricultural land. We cannot protect agricultural land and we are talking about preserving the rights of agrarian women. There is a need for serious legislation and implementation to make our country great.”


Mumtaz Mughal said, “To maintain the GSP Plus status we have to maintain 27 conventions. Women in agriculture have registered land but they do not have any possession- loans are sanctioned on their name but they do not receive any loan amount. Women working in agriculture are less educated as compared to their male counterparts. Women in agriculture are not involved in decision making. They do not have access to health facilities, social protection, safety nets and micro-credit. There is no daycare centre for the infants.
Nasim Iqbal Chairperson President Mathilda Majlis said that   “This is an election year; women have a very strong and beneficial time to put their demands on the table. We should jointly assist and engage all the political parties and ask them to add this to their manifesto, so they can work for the betterment of agrarian women”
 

A Discriminatory social mindset biggest hurdle in way of women’s political participation [25-29 May 2017]

Discriminatory social mindset is the biggest hurdle in the way of women political participation which restricts their growth as true political leaders. The views were expressed at the fifth four-day leadership Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop organized by Aurat Foundation under Women Leaning Partnership (WLP). Women community leaders from different parts of the country participated in the training that was meant to build the capacity of women leaders so that they can utilize their capabilities in building a truly democratic society.

The ToT was organized at a time when country prepares for the general elections 2018 and women make an integral part of this changing political situation and emerging political institutions. Keeping this situation in mind, the training was themed around characteristics of true democracy, functioning of democratic institutions, importance of tolerance and dialogue in a democratic system and role of true leader in the promotion and protection of democratic norms. The interactive training workshop had session based on the training manuals developed by WLP including Beyond Equality, Leading to Choices, Claiming our Rights and Leading to a Culture of Democracy. The objective of the training was to build the knowledge and training capacity of facilitators who will take this training further into the community.

The participants used creative ways to bring the concepts of leadership, equality, democracy and human rights under discussion. In one of the sessions, participants analyzed educational institutions and local bodies for being democratic or undemocratic in their functioning and reached to a conclusion that institutions in Pakistan are largely undemocratic in their functioning. They said that democratic institutions are with equal opportunities, merit, justice, freedom of expression, accountability, transparency and rule of law. “All these qualities are found missing in the institutions of Pakistan,” said Kanwal Shauzab from PTI. Sadia Kamal from media said that women are still unacceptable in leadership role in the society. “This resistance increases at higher level especially in the case of political parties. We can hardly find any women without family background of politics at higher level in the political parties,” she said. The participants were of the opinion that those who can think beyond themselves and can bring positive change in the lives of others are leaders. The WLP’s, an international network of learning partnership,  vision is to achieve democratic and peaceful societies that embrace pluralism and tolerance and are governed by gender-equitable norms, legislation, and policies that translate into equal rights and equal levels of participation and decision-making for women and men in the family, community, and politics.

Woman’s Political Emancipation: The Future of Pakistan

Aurat Foundation (AF) and Oxfam in Pakistan organized a national workshop entitled Woman’s Political Emancipation: The Future of Pakistan in collaboration with Australian High Commission.   Participants include; senior policy makers, parliamentarians, judiciary, and provincial ministers and grassroots level women leaders from across Pakistan. Participants deliberated over ways to improve women’s participation as candidates and voters in the 2018 elections and put forth a set of action-oriented recommendations.

The conference is part of LISTEN, a 4 year project which was implemented between 2013 and 2017, aimed at ensuring women’s political empowerment and their inclusion in policy and decision making processes.


The Country Director of Oxfam Pakistan Mohammad Qazilbash said in his opening remarks that Aurat Foundation is very close partner of Oxfam and they are working with it form the very beginning. He said that there can be no justice in the world if the voices of women are absent from the decision making process. He said that Oxfam believes in building women’s leadership and ensuring their meaningful political participation so they are able to influence decisions and policies that affect their lives. All women, including those who are poor and underprivileged have a right to participate in politics.

`I was asked to present the historical perspectives of women`s political participation but when I looked at the title of the conference, I read it the other way around the future of Pakistan is in women`s emancipation. The history of the political worker, the women who strove for the right vote, the women who struggled for political freedom predates the history of NGOs, which are new entities, but the political struggle has been going on for decades,` said Naeem Ahmed Mirza, Aurat Foundation`s executive director. He also threw light on feminist movements and urged the women to take advantages of these movements. He called for federal legislation to ensure women also get tickets for winnable general seats. “This will ensure women’s meaningful participation in the electoral process” he said. Mirza also demanded that a special parliamentary committee should be formed to ensure implementation of legislation on domestic violence and sexual harassment.”


In this session of discussion, women parliamentarians from PML-N, PPP, PTI and JUI discussed electoral reforms. The women parliamentarians were included Ms. Raheela Khadim Hussain, MPA, Chairperson Parliamentary Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, Punjab – PML N,  Ms. Syeda Shehla Raza, Deputy Speaker, Provincial Assembly Sindh – PPPP,  Ms. Naeema Kishwar, MNA – Member Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms, KP – JUI (F) and Ms. Spozhmai Achakzai, MPA – Pashtoonkhuwa Milli Awamy Party, Balochistan.

Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza said, `When I sit in the assembly there are people who resist a woman deputy speaker but I believe that if you are strong and committed to the oath you`ve taken nobody can undermine you. Just reachingthe assembly is not the objective. We have to understand that our goalis to bring betterment. We are there to understand and find solutions to problems.

JUI (F) MNA Naeema Kishwar said legislation ensuring political parties to give 5% general seat tickets to women will be passed after Ramadan. “In 2018 election results will be computed according to gender so we receive accurate data on women voters’ turnout,” she said.
PML-N MPA Raheela Khadim Hussain said it is not enough that women participate in the 2018 elections as voters but must be brought into mainstream politics as candidates on general seats. “Punjab has made gender mainstreaming a priority,” she said.


Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Secretary Women Caucus National Assembly of Pakistan said: `No one can deny that an increased women`s political participation is a game changer for the democratic process for any country, that not only validates the legislative and policy making, but also helps in ensuring an inclusive, contextual and substantive national sustainable development. Constitutional guarantees, international commitments and local laws therefore need to be honoured by the governments if they are serious about their implementation. If the governments are visionary, if they are clear on the benefits of inclusive democracies, and if they have a strong political will, they will surely tal(e measures in this regard.

She added, `Since the inception of Women`s Parliamentary Caucus, women parliamentarians have been striving to work on a variety of issues as a collective voice.
A number of landmark pieces of legislation for women protection and empowerment have been enacted, and policies influenced by members of the caucus and women parliamentarians over the years. While most of these have had effective implemen-tation, yet many need to be reviewed and improved; but this is how legal frameworks evolve and meet the emerging challenges as the societies change.

Amendments are thus introduced to align the laws with changing socio-cultural construct and the international human rights commitments. Raheela Khadim Hussain, chairperson Standing Committee on Gender Mainstreaming for Punjab, said, `Punjab is the only province that recognized the importance of gender mainstreaming. We are talking of mainstreaming women and bringing about equality.

This is about democracy and the right of the common person. Women must contest elections on general seats, through direct elections. We will not see the leadership of women emerge until we do so.


Leading by Example: Empowering Women in Political Participation and Leadership

In the third session, Ms. Rana Ansar, MPA, Sindh – MQM, Ms. Tehseen Fawad, MPA, Punjab and Ms. Fozia Ayub, MPA, Punjab shared their experiences while Majid Sharif Dogar, Director, Provincial Election Commissioner – Punjab spoke on measures taken for the emancipation of women in electoral processes and way forward for election 2018. 


Speaking on the occasion, Australian High Commissioner Margaret Adamson discussed the importance of political participation of women for democracy and shared Australia`s example. She also highlighted the Australian High Commission`s commitments in Pakistan towards women’s political participation. She said, “Governments and civil society everywhere need to encourage and empower women to contribute to inclusive social and economic development, and to promote security and world peace.” 


Additional Director General Gender Issues Election Commission Nighat Siddique who was the chief guest discussed the measures being taken ahead of the 2018 elections for women’s participation. Ms. Siddique said, in 2013, women’s participation was encouraged but more work was needed to be done ahead of 2018 elections and the ECP is making all efforts to ensure electoral reforms make women’s participation a priority.
 

Rich tributes paid to Nigar


Glowing tributes were paid to late Nigar Ahmad, the founder of Aurat Foundation and one of the pioneers of Women’s Action Forum with passionate vows to continue her mission of establishing a peaceful, tolerant, just and caring society at a remembrance ceremony on Thursday. Nigar Ahmad passed away on 24 February, 2017 in Lahore.


Organised by the Aurat Foundation, the ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, including foreign dignitaries, political leaders, academicians and members of various minority communities from all over the country.


The event started with the screening of a short video about Nigar’s life and her journey towards becoming one of the leading voices for the emancipation of women and the pioneering founder of the women’s movement in Pakistan. The screening was followed by the small speeches from those who worked closely with Nigar.


A number of speakers, some in tears, spoke about Nigar’s revolutionary ideas and described her as the visionary feminist leader of women’s rights movement in Pakistan and South Asia. She was remembered as the torchbearer of change and development for poor and vulnerable sections of the society.


For her co-workers, family and close friends, Nigar’s extraordinarily kind, humble and caring approach was the best part of her personality where as her students and co-workers praised her intellect, selflessness and pain for the vulnerable.


I.A Rehman, legendary human rights activist, spoke about Nigar’s real understanding that change is only possible through the emancipation of women. “Nigar strongly believed in this and this was visible through her life long struggle through Aurat Foundation,” he said.


Tahira Abdullah, well-known rights activist, said Nigar was Pakistan’s quintessential renaissance woman. She spoke about Nigar’s commitment to rural, poor women, particularly labourers. She ended her tribute with a poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, often recited by Nigar. Ubaidullah Chaudary, a close friend and previous colleague of Nigar’s at AF, described Nigar as a complete human being.


Istaqbal Mehdi, a friend from Nigar’s government college days, spoke about Nigar’s student days and her love for life, heated discourse, defiant nature, cricket and her insatiable desire to change the world. Dr. Alia Khan, professor Qauid-e-Azam, a student of Nigar’s spoke about her time with Nigar as a teacher and mentor and how she encouraged her to become an academic activist.


Anis Haroon, ex-chairperson NCSW, spoke about Nigar’s warm and ever giving personality that she applied to her work till the end of her life. She spoke about how Nigar’s vision is seen today in AF and the best way to pay tribute to her life would be keep struggling for the things we believe in.


Kishwar Naheed, well known poet, paid tribute to her dear friend with an ode that spoke of Nigar’s belief, commitment and struggle for the people of Pakistan and their emancipation. Alia Mirza, feminist poet and dear friend of Nigar’s spoke about the love and encouragement Nigar showed to her friends and ensured that others always realised their full potential. Naheed Aziz, activist and well-known professional, said that along with Nigar’s passion for women’s rights, she was also passionate about children’s rights and mobilised a huge protest in Lahore in the 1980s, when AF was newly formed, to raise awareness around the rights of children.


Shohiab Sultan, AF board member and initiators of the Agha Khan Rural Support Programme spoke emotionally of Nigar’s life and commitment towards which she worked to the end of her life. Masooma Hassan, President of the Board of Governors, AF, begun by saying that Nigar’s life should be celebrated. She also highlighted how the working culture of AF has always carried Nigar’s belief in a caring work environment.


Earlier, Naeem Mirza, AF’s Chief Operating Officer, begun the session by welcoming all the people that gathered to pay tribute to Nigar. He started by giving a brief background as to how Nigar Ahmad and Shela Zia founded Aurat Foundation.

Younus Khalid, Chief Policy and Strategy Officer, AF, spoke of his first interaction with Nigar, her inspiring leadership skills and her commitment and devotion to all staff members. Mehnaz Rehman, Shabina Khan, Mumtaz Mughal, directors AF, moderated the session, each giving their personal account of their interaction with Nigar as a friend and colleague. Saima Munir, of AF, spoke of Nigar as a diligent and tough but also caring boss and friend.


Nigar’s son Bilal Siddiqui said that if one wanted to really understand his mother, it was to emphasis the one quality which she believed and carried with her in her personal and professional life that being a caring person and working towards a caring society is the only way to change the world.


Kate, her daughter in law, took to the stage and spoke passionately about Nigar’s personal attributes of generosity and affectionate nature. Kate said Nigar never treated her like a daughter in law and always encouraged her career. She said the country and the world would be a better place if Nigar’s message, in terms of public policy and her personality and interaction with people, was promoted and followed by more people.


Nigar’s drivers, personal assistants, and those personalities from all over the country that she interacted with, both professionally and personally, recalled fondly memories they had of Nigar, her work and her positive impact on their personal life. The evening was sombre, filled with memories to cherish a pioneering personality but it was also reflective and inspiring.