Pakistani Achievers - at Home / Abroad

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From mountains to space: ​

2023 was full of ‘first’ feats for Pakistanis​

From risky summits to representing Pakistan in media to women and minorities making themselves heard locally, this year has been historic.
Muskaan Mujahid
December 26, 2023

The outgoing year has been full of achievements for Pakistanis, especially women, who have broken barriers and achieved numerous ‘firsts’ in their respective fields.

From accomplishing dangerous feats on mountain peaks to representing Pakistan internationally in the media, and with women and minorities making their voices heard locally, this year has been historic.

Dawn.com examines some of these milestones across various walks of life, which have left us beaming with pride.

Sports​

Imagine becoming the first Pakistani woman climber to summit 10 peaks above 8,000 metres — renowned mountaineer Naila Kiani achieved that in reality this year. She also became the only Pakistani to ascend seven peaks above 8,000m in six months.

Listed below are her achievements and those of other mountaineers throughout 2023.

April: Mountaineer Sajid Ali Sadpara became the first Pakistani to scale Nepal’s Annapurna peak — the world’s 10th-highest peak standing 8,091m tall — without the support of high-altitude porters and supplemental oxygen.

Days later, Kiani became the first Pakistani woman to climb Annapurna.

May: Sadpara scaled the world’s tallest peak, 8,849m-tall Mount Everest, in Alpine style — without supplemental oxygen or any porter support.

Two days later, Kiani and Nadia Azad became the first two Pakistani women climbers to scale Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak at 8,516m in Nepal.

July: Kiani (yes, again) and Samina Baig attained the feat of becoming the first Pakistani women to summit the world’s ninth-highest peak, the 8,125m-tall Nanga Parbat.

Kiani set another record the same month, becoming the first Pakistani woman to summit Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain at 8,051m.

September: Shehroze Kashif secured the title of being the youngest climber in the world to summit 12 peaks above 8000m as he ascended Nepal’s Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest mountain at 8,163m.

The same week, Lahore-based Ahmed Uzair and Anum Uzair became the first Pakistani couple to summit Manaslu.

October: Kiani and Sirbaz Khan became the first Pakistani duo to summit the 8,201m-tall Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest peak in China’s Tibet.

Saud Shakeel plays a shot during the final cricket Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo on July 26, 2023. — AFP/File

Speaking of other sports, batter Saud Shakeel set a world record in July by becoming the first player in Test history to score more than 50 runs in each of his first seven matches.

Pakistan’s women cricketers also shone this year, making history by registering their maiden win over New Zealand not just in the first T20 International but also in the one-day format.

Earlier this year, wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali became the first Pakistani woman to score a T20I century and only the sixth to score one in a T20 World Cup.

In javelin-throwing, Arshad Nadeem won the country’s first-ever medal at the World Athletics Championships as he secured second place in the final in August.

We may not be abiding by the “first” criteria here but it merits a mention that Hamza Khan won the World Junior Squash Championship 2023, becoming the country’s first to do so since 1986.

Entertainment​

Pakistanis did not shy away from exhibiting their love for arts and media either as they set new records.

Arooj Aftab performs at Grammy Awards 2023 in Los Angeles, US on Feb 5, 2023 — Screengrab from Recording Academy via Arab News

After becoming the first Pakistani to win the prestigious Grammy Award last year, Arooj Aftab in February also became the first artist from the country to perform at the Grammys.

Also in February, streetwear label Rastah became the first Pakistani brand to showcase at the London Fashion Week, where it unveiled its ‘VOLUME IX’ collection.

In April, Oscar-winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was announced as the director for the latest Star Wars film, making her the first woman and person of colour to direct a film in the franchise.

In September, the first-ever art exhibition of Pakistani artists was organised in Hungary’s Budapest by the Pakistani embassy there.

Later the same month, Erica Robin, a 24-year-old Christian from Karachi, was crowned as the first-ever ‘Miss Universe Pakistan’ — a win that led to criticism from certain circles but praise from many.

She went on to represent the country for the first time in the global Miss Universe pageant held in November.

Women and minorities in Pakistan​

Shifting focus to a different category of ‘firsts’, women and minorities in Pakistan made significant strides toward achieving parity with men.

Justice Musarrat Hilali takes oath as Peshawar High Court chief justice on April 1. — File photo

In February, the Lahore High Court Bar Association got its first woman secretary since its inception in 1893 following Sabahat Rizvi’s election.

The bar elected Rabbiya Bajwa as the vice president in another record of simultaneously making two women represent it in the cabinet.

In April, Justice Musarrat Hilali was sworn in as the first woman chief justice of the Peshawar High Court. She then went on to become the Supreme Court’s second woman judge.

In July, the PPP’s Sadia Danish was elected unopposed as the first woman deputy speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.

Days later, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan’s lawmaker Rana Ansar became the first-ever woman opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly after the PTI’s Haleem Adil Sheikh was removed from the position.

In a sports-related development, 28-year-old Hijab Zahid became the first woman general manager in the history of the Pakistan Super League after she was hired by Multan Sultans for the position.

In September, the Supreme Court got its first female registrar after newly sworn-in Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa appointed Okara Additional District and Sessions Judge Jazeela Aslam to the role.

The next month, girls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat played the “first-ever” women’s cricket match in the Kabal tehsil despite facing restrictions and roadblocks.

Other religious and gender minorities also blazed new trails, as Samreen Amir was appointed as KP’s first Christian woman additional station house officer.

At the outset of the year, the transgender community was formally included in the Benazir Income Support Programme, being the first instance of a marginalised group getting rights in the program.

Months later, Shahzadi Rai and Chandni Shah became the first transgender members of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation City Council after being elected on reserved seats.

In November — almost a week before the country’s only second Moorat March — the transgender community gathered in Karachi to hold the first ‘Hejra Festival’, aiming to clear misconceptions about them.

Other professions​

In July, a newly unveiled wax figure of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto became the first of a Pakistani personality at Madame Tussauds’ museum in Dubai.

The Pakistani diaspora abroad got representation as British-Pakistani diplomat Fouzia Younis in March became the first British Muslim to be appointed the consul general to Toronto.

In October, Namira Salim made history by becoming the first Pakistani to reach space.

From mountains to space: 2023 was full of ‘first’ feats for Pakistanis

From risky summits to representing Pakistan in media to women and minorities making themselves heard locally, this year has been historic.

www.dawn.com

 

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Ismail Gulgee

The Gulgee (25 October 1926 – 16 December 2007) Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz (twice), Hilal-e-Imtiaz, was a Pakistani artist born in Peshawar. He was a qualified engineer in the US and self-taught abstract painter and portrait painter. Before 1959, as portraitist, he painted the entire Afghan Royal Family. From about 1960 on, he was noted as an abstract painter influenced by the tradition of Islamic calligraphy and by the American "action painting" idiom.

Gulgee was born on 25 October 1926 at Karimpura locality in Peshawar, Pakistan. Initially, he went to Lawrence College Murree and then to Aligarh University to study civil engineering before heading off to US for continuing his higher education. Gulgee started to paint while acquiring his training as an engineer in the United States at Columbia University and then Harvard. His first exhibition was in 1950.

Guljee, as he was famously known, received many requests for his paintings internationally, from the Saudi royal family to the Islamabad presidency. Many of his works are placed in the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad. Guljee received many awards, including from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Japan and France.

 

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Naila Kiani, Samina Baig become first Pakistani women to scale world’s 9th highest peak Nanga Parbat​

Jamil Nagri
July 2, 2023

The photos shows mountaineers Naila Kiani (L) and Samina Baig (R). — Courtesy Karakoram Club
Mountaineers Naila Kiani and Samina Baig became the first Pakistani women to summit the 8,125-metre-tall mountain Nanga Parbat — the world’s ninth-highest peak — on Sunday.

According to Alpine Club of Pakistan Secretary General Karar Haidri, Naila scaled the mountain at 10:18am today followed by Baig who completed her summit at 11:08am.

The women overcame hazardous terrain, severe weather, and a plethora of challenges during the journey.

Haidri said Kiani and Baig were accompanied by other Pakistan mountaineers Rizwan Dad, Eid Muhammad, Ahmed Baig, Waqar Ali, Saeed Karim, Liaqat, Wajid Nagri, and Shah Daulat. All of them also successfully scaled the peak.

Meanwhile, Imagine Nepal — an expedition team — also said that 10 of its members climbed Nanga Parbat today.

Summit Karakoram Managing Director Sakhawat Hussain told Dawn.com that his clients Chris Warner from the United States and three Nepalese Sherpas scaled the peak as well.

Separately, nearly 28 other mountaineers from around the world also successfully climbed the mountain today — making it the largest single-day Nanga Parbat summit.

Naila Kiani​

Kiani is a Dubai-based Pakistani banker, an amateur boxer, and a mother of two daughters. She had first gained prominence after images of her wedding shoot at K2 Basecamp circulated on social media in 2018.

She summited Gasherbrum-II (8,035m) in 2021 and ascended Gasherbrum-I (8,068m), K2, and Annapurna peaks. Kiani had also climbed the world’s second-tallest peak K2.

Earlier this year, she became the second Pakistani woman to summit the mighty Everest.

Taking to Facebook earlier today, Alpine Club’s Haidri said: “Numerous mountaineers and adventure fans all over the world are inspired by Naila Kiani’s unwavering resolve, unmatched abilities, and unwavering attitude.

“She serves as a bright example of how people can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.”

Samina Baig​

Baig was the first Pakistani woman to scale Mount Everest in 2014.
Last year, she again created history by summitting K2 along with her team, just three hours before Kiani reached the peak.

Baig, who comes from the remote village of Shimshal, also holds the unique record of being the first Pakistani among men and women to climb seven summits in seven continents.

In 2010, she became the first to ascend the virgin peak Chashkin Sar (above 6,000 meters) now called the ‘Samina Peak’. She conquered another virgin peak in 2011 that was named ‘Koh-i-Brobar’ or the ‘Mount Equality’ in 2011.

Naila Kiani, Samina Baig become first Pakistani women to scale world’s 9th highest peak Nanga Parbat

They overcame hazardous terrain, severe weather, and a plethora of challenges during the summit.

www.dawn.com

 

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Dr. Annemarie Schimmel

Annemarie Schimmel was born on April 7, 1922 in Erfurt, Germany, as the only child of highly cultured middle-class parents, who raised her in an atmosphere saturated with literature and poetry.

Skipping two grades in secondary school, she began her studies at the University of Berlin in the fall of 1939 at the age of seventeen. Her most influential teacher was the inspiring polymath, Hans Heinrich Schaeder. He suggested that she study the Divan of Jalaluddin Rumi, and the poetry struck her like lightning. She intuitively grasped the ideas embodied in this poetry and never let go of it again.

In October 1941, at 19, she earned her doctorate with a dissertation on late medieval Egypt. Shortly thereafter, she was drafted by the Foreign Office and attached to a decoding unit. She continued to work on scholarly projects in her spare time, and on March 31, 1945 she submitted her Habilitationsschrift. However, the next day her decoding unit was put on trucks and evacuated, destination unknown. On April 20, the convoy encountered the advancing American army somewhere in Saxony; once captured, the whole group was sent to Marburg and interned there on May 8, 1945, the day the war ended. The internees soon founded a “camp university,” and Annemarie gave her first lectures on things Islamic sitting on the top of a double-decker bunk.

Fortunately, Annemarie had brought along a copy of her Habilitationsschrift and was able to do her Habilitation in Marburg. On January 12, 1946, she gave her inaugural lecture on “The Main Representatives of Islamic Mysticism” at the age of 23.
In 1951, she earned a second doctorate in the History of Religions awarded by the Faculty of Protestant Theology in Marburg, with a thesis on mystical love in Islam.

In the early fifties Annemarie made several trips to Turkey. In 1953, while she was in Ankara, she gave her first public lecture in Turkish; soon thereafter the University’s Faculty of Theology offered her the vacant chair of the History of Religion.

The fact that she was a woman and a non-Muslim to boot played no role whatsoever. (In her autobiography Annemarie asks if in those years a German faculty of Protestant theology would have appointed a Muslim woman to a professorship!)

Living in Turkey for five years (1954-59) gave her “obsession” with Rumi, whose mausoleum in Konya she frequently visited, a definite boost. But her other favorite subject, the Indo-Muslim thinker and poet Muhammad Iqbal, also emerged in her writings during this time.

At the urging of her Turkish friends she produced an annotated translation of Iqbal’s famous spiritual book, the Jawednama. This led to an invitation in 1958 to visit Pakistan that was the starting-point of a new research interest that ultimately brought her to Harvard.

In August of 1965, on her first visit to the US, attending the 11th Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions in Claremont, California, she was approached by Harvard’s Wilfred Cantwell Smith, who told her that substantial funds had been given to Harvard by the inventor of Minute Rice, Mr. Ozai-Durrani, to have two major Urdu poets, Mir and Ghalib, translated into poetic English. Of course, the position would consist of more than just this translation project. Would she be interested in coming to Harvard? She declined, claiming that as a non-specialist in Urdu she was ill prepared to do the job. But Smith and others at Harvard pursued her doggedly and finally convinced her.

In the spring of 1967 she started at Harvard as Lecturer on Indo-Muslim Culture, and in 1970 she was appointed full professor. She taught only in the spring term, but with a double load. Almost every year she traveled to Pakistan in the fall. She attained such legendary status there that a major boulevard was named after her in Lahore. Although she taught only during the spring term, her students were well looked after.

They adored her, stood in awe of her, even feared her, as she was very demanding; but they also trusted her and asked for her counsel in personal matters. Her classes on Sufism were always well attended, and one of her courses metamorphosed into her most famous book, Mystical Dimensions of Islam. She was also a much sought-after lecturer, and her style of delivery was famous: she would clasp her purse with both hands, shut her eyes, and speak for exactly the amount of time allotted to her.

She maintained that she could lecture without a manuscript in German, English and Turkish, or with a manuscript (and open eyes) in French, Arabic, Persian and Urdu.

During her academic life she was awarded an impressive number of honorary doctorates, as well as numerous prizes and medals. She published more than a hundred books in English and German, many of which were intended for the educated layman. Verse translations of Islamic poetry were her favorite pastime, in which she followed the model of her hero, the late Romantic poet and orientalist, Friedrich Rückert; at least six languages were involved.

In 1992 she retired from Harvard. Back in Bonn her life consisted of almost constant lecturing and writing. On October 15, 1995, she received the prestigious Peace Prize of the German Book-Trade Association to honor her achievements in generating East-West understanding; the President of Germany read the laudatio. This was in a way the ultimate public recognition of her life’s work, which may be subsumed under her favorite among Rückert’s sayings: “World-poetry is world-reconciliation.”

On January 26, 2003, Annemarie died of complications following surgery. She had no immediate living family, but is survived by a well-loved son of a cousin and his family, now in California and New Jersey, as well as a large number of friends, colleagues, students, and many Muslims of all walks of life, who will always remember this singular scholar and interpreter of the Muslim world with fondness and admiration.

 

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Nation remembers – Guardian of humanity

Edhi left millions inspired, moved and motivated to carry his legacy on

https://nation.com.pk/blogger/natasha-waqas-awan-mishal-abbas-khawaja

Natasha Waqas Awan & Mishal Abbas Khawaja
July 08, 2019

People all over the world are paying homage to the man who rekindled our faith in humanity, Edhi.

He earned various titles and esteemed recognition all over the globe and had millions mourning three years ago today when he passed away , leaving us in an amalgamation of inspired hope and dismay at the same time.

Edhi was born on January 1st, 1928 in Gujrat, India and was brought up to be a compassionate human which added to it when he started taking care of his mentally ill and paralyzed mother. After witnessing the horrors that came with the brutal reality of partition, he was further convinced to play his part in the reformation of the society and laid down the foundation of what would later be the epitome of humanity - Edhi Foundation.

Be it orphans, addicts, homeless, the needy or any human that needed shelter, assistance or guidance, every person was welcomed by him with open arms. He was joined in this philanthropic journey by a nurse who worked with and proved to be as compassionate as Edhi himself and later became his spouse i.e. Bilquis Edhi. The couple had four children and served the nation together as a team.

He has been given the title of “Angel of Mercy” for his charitable acts towards each and every individual regardless of the class, religion, race or title. His services were provided on the basis of “human”, independent of all social norms and boundaries.

The humanitarian founded the Edhi foundation which runs hospitals, orphanages, shelters and rehab centres all over the country and is acknowledged and widely known all over the world. The foundation has rescued over 20,000 abandoned infants, girls and boys, trained over 40,000 nurses and taken care of approximately 50,000 orphans till date.

The foundation is a long network comprising 330 centres all over Pakistan. It consists of the world’s largest ambulance chain with estimated 600 vehicles dedicated to the service. The foundation does receive huge amount of charities and donations by the masses and fellow humanitarians.

Edhi himself led a very simple and pious life and lived in an ordinary household next to his office. In 2013, his kidneys failed and he led the following years on dialysis and took his last breath on 8th July, 2016.

He left millions inspired, moved and motivated to carry his legacy on. His wife is still working under the same principles and carrying his vision forward. May his soul rest in peace and may he keep on inspiring and guiding individuals in becoming better versions of themselves everyday.

 

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A thousand times sacrificed for this simplicity Mr. Edhi.
May Allah grant you a high place in Paradise. Amen !!

 

[RescueRanger]

Nation remembers – Guardian of humanity

Edhi left millions inspired, moved and motivated to carry his legacy on

https://nation.com.pk/blogger/natasha-waqas-awan-mishal-abbas-khawaja

Natasha Waqas Awan & Mishal Abbas Khawaja
July 08, 2019

People all over the world are paying homage to the man who rekindled our faith in humanity, Edhi.

He earned various titles and esteemed recognition all over the globe and had millions mourning three years ago today when he passed away , leaving us in an amalgamation of inspired hope and dismay at the same time.

Edhi was born on January 1st, 1928 in Gujrat, India and was brought up to be a compassionate human which added to it when he started taking care of his mentally ill and paralyzed mother. After witnessing the horrors that came with the brutal reality of partition, he was further convinced to play his part in the reformation of the society and laid down the foundation of what would later be the epitome of humanity - Edhi Foundation.

Be it orphans, addicts, homeless, the needy or any human that needed shelter, assistance or guidance, every person was welcomed by him with open arms. He was joined in this philanthropic journey by a nurse who worked with and proved to be as compassionate as Edhi himself and later became his spouse i.e. Bilquis Edhi. The couple had four children and served the nation together as a team.

He has been given the title of “Angel of Mercy” for his charitable acts towards each and every individual regardless of the class, religion, race or title. His services were provided on the basis of “human”, independent of all social norms and boundaries.

The humanitarian founded the Edhi foundation which runs hospitals, orphanages, shelters and rehab centres all over the country and is acknowledged and widely known all over the world. The foundation has rescued over 20,000 abandoned infants, girls and boys, trained over 40,000 nurses and taken care of approximately 50,000 orphans till date.

The foundation is a long network comprising 330 centres all over Pakistan. It consists of the world’s largest ambulance chain with estimated 600 vehicles dedicated to the service. The foundation does receive huge amount of charities and donations by the masses and fellow humanitarians.

Edhi himself led a very simple and pious life and lived in an ordinary household next to his office. In 2013, his kidneys failed and he led the following years on dialysis and took his last breath on 8th July, 2016.

He left millions inspired, moved and motivated to carry his legacy on. His wife is still working under the same principles and carrying his vision forward. May his soul rest in peace and may he keep on inspiring and guiding individuals in becoming better versions of themselves everyday.

This man is my hero.

 

[ghazi52]

With Dr. Rizvi

 

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Four candidates of Pakistani origin have secured seats in the British Parliament, highlighting the growing representation of ethnic minorities in UK politics.


Dr. Zubir Ahmed from Glasgow emerged victorious on a Labour Party ticket. His win signifies a stronghold for Labour in Glasgow, with Ahmed’s campaign focusing on community development and social justice resonating well with voters.

Naushabah Khan, another Labour Party candidate, also secured a seat, taking it from the Conservative Party. Khan’s success is seen as a critical gain for Labour, emphasizing the shifting political landscape in favour of the party. Her campaign concentrated on healthcare improvements and economic reforms, which garnered substantial support from her constituency.

Saqib Bhatti, contesting on behalf of the Conservative Party, was declared successful as well. Bhatti’s re-election reflects his strong connection with his constituents and his effective advocacy for local business and economic growth.

Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan, also of Pakistani origin, won once again from London’s Tooting, retaining her seat and reinforcing her position as a significant political figure in the area. Khan’s consistent focus on healthcare and her work as an NHS doctor have earned her continued trust and support from the electorate.

 

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Pakistan Permanent Representative to UN

@PakistanPR_UN
· Sep 25 2021

I congratulate Saima Saleem, my team member, for successfully putting forward Pakistan's position by exercising right of reply. She spoke using Braille for the first time from UNGA hall. #SaimaSaleem #UNGA

 

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The sedulous Saima Saleem: Pakistan's first visually impaired diplomat

Visually impaired Saima Saleem makes Pakistan proud by giving a befitting response to India at the UNGA

Social Desk/Tehreem M Alam
September 26, 2021

Pakistan's visually-challenged diplomat Saima Saleem responding to India at UNGA.

Pakistan's first visually-impaired UN delegate Saima Saleem is being praised for her fiery speech at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday in which she stated that it is India that endorses terrorism in the occupied territory of Kashmir in a response to an Indian diplomat's allegations against Pakistan.

The first differently-abled female Pakistani diplomat, Saima Saleem was born on August 10, 1984. In her early years, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa - an incurable eye disease that made Saleem blind at the age of 13.

According to sources, when Saleem applied for CSS, she requested the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to conduct a computer-based exam for her. However, the FPSC refused to conduct a computer exam because they were always conducted on paper. Saleem pursued her case by quoting the ordinance passed in 2005. The press release issued in this regard said the government will facilitate candidates with visual impairment and they will be allowed to take exams on the computer.

She became the first blind Civil Servant of Pakistan.

Today, Saleem is a motivational speaker and a writer. She has expertise in international human rights and international humanitarian law, public and economic diplomacy.

Saleem is a strong advocate of global peace and interfaith harmony.

Wearing the colours of Pakistan's flag and reading from braille, Saleem's fervent speech came as a response to Indian delegate Sneha Dubey's extrapolations about Pakistan's involvement in terrorism in the occupied Himalayan territory.

 

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[ghazi52]

Hakeem Muhammad Saeed

Hakeem Muhammad Saeed was a medical researcher, scholar, philanthropist, and a Governor of Sindh from 1993 until 1996. He was one of Pakistan's most prominent medical researchers in the field of Eastern medicines.

 

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Ardeshir Cowasjee

Born into a wealthy Parsi family on April 13, 1926, Ardeshir Cowasjee remained one of the most read and influential columnists in Pakistan for almost three decades.

Ardeshir Cowasjee joined his family shipping business after completing his education from the Bai Virbaiji Soparivala Parsi (BVS) High School and DJ Sindh Govt Science College. In 1953, he married a young doctor Nancy Dinshaw. The couple had two children, a girl Ava and boy Rustom. However, Nancy passed away in 1992.

Adreshir Cowasjee wrote for an English language daily, his words reached and echoed in the most significant corners and corridors of power. And when in 2011 Cowasjee stopped writing his weekly columns, his readers from all around the world sent in requests for him to change his mind.

In addition to his columns, Cowasjee was also known as a successful businessman, social activist, and an active philanthropist.

The Cowasjee Foundation has been responsible for providing funding for the higher education of many Pakistani students. One of The Citizens Foundation’s biggest campuses is the Cowasjee Campus in Lyari. Many of Karachi’s hospitals such as the Lady Dufferin Hospital, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases are some of the beneficiaries of the foundation.

In 1972, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto appointed him as the Managing Director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Board (PTDB). The next big post that came his way was chairman of the Port Qasim Authority.

He remained a firm supporter of Jinnah and a strong proponent of his ideology. He passed away on November 24, 2012 at the age of 86.

 

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This Chitrali doctor just became the first Pakistani to be featured in “Best Ophthalmology Books of All Time”

In a moment of national pride, Dr Zubaida Sirang, an eye surgeon from Chitral, recently became the first Pakistani doctor to have her work featured in the prestigious “Best Ophthalmology Books of All Time” list by the Book Authority.
As per details, the book – entitled “Optics Made Easy;

The Last review of Clinical Optics” – has made waves in the world of ophthalmology literature. In fact, aside from the honor of being included in the aforementioned list, the Dr Zubaida’s book has also become one of the three bestsellers on Amazon.

The book itself has been described as “simple yet effective with clear, concise explanations often in bulleted lists or in the form of helpful mnemonics”, thereby making facts and concepts easier to memorize.

Dr Zubaida hails from Yarkhun, Chitral, and has completed MBBS from the Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi. She is currently completing her specialization in Surgical Ophthalmology from Ireland. After graduating from AKU, she preferred to serve in her hometown for more than two years before starting her specialization.

Book Authority is the world’s leading platform for recommendations for nonfiction books, helping its readers to improve their skills by finding the best books on different topics. The book is written for ophthalmology students as a last-minute revision tool.