Disclaimer*: The articles shared under 'Your Voice' section are sent to us by contributors and we neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of any facts stated below. Parhlo PInk will not be liable for any false, inaccurate, inappropriate or incomplete information presented on the website. Read our disclaimer.

I am the first born child of my parents. I was raised in a middle-class family by a self-made man and a mother who had never stepped out of the house for work. My childhood was great. I had everything a child could wish for. I still remember my dad’s face when I got admission in Kinnaird. Kinnaird was my parent’s choice and it proved to be the strong foundation not only for my career but for my life. Things were good I was doing my masters and had just started working for an Insurance company.

Then life took a turn as my father was diagnosed with third stage Cancer. Things went bad financially and emotionally. Cancer took my father away and I was left with a simple housewife, two sad high school siblings and a lot of “loved ones” who were dictating & questioning my mother hundreds of things daily. They were giving us sheer depression in the name of consoling us. Although none of them was physically living with us, yet we felt under the control of someone. We felt caged.

Meanwhile, all my friends were getting married. I was pressurized to follow the herd by my relatives but I didn’t listen. When they saw I was bent on making them ‘look bad’, they cut us off. I think that’s the only good they did to us. I was told time and again that I won’t find a man. But who said I was looking for a prince charming? I was looking for empowerment and I believe the power lies in books. We badly needed a rebel, so I became one. I said “NO” to the so-called advice and support.

Initially, my mother wasn’t happy with my rude stance but soon she realized I was right. It wasn’t easy because a college girl is not expected to make decisions for the family in our society. But my mother completely authorized me to act and decide matters as I feel right. My family gave me strength that I never knew I had.

I completed my masters and started Chartered Insurance from CII London, my company sponsored my studies. I heard everyone saying “Insurance isn’t girl’s business in Pakistan”. Today, I am Masters in Economics, a Chartered Insurer with 5 distinctions and a Gold medalist. I scored the highest in Chartered Insurance program among overseas candidates in 2017.

I am awarded two international awards, The Crawford Overseas Prize 2017 and John Grieg prize 2016 by CII London. Lahore Insurance Institute awarded me with a gold medal. I am the only Muslim girl on the CII winner’s list.

Girls, it’s your life. Make your own call. Never let people tell you what you can not do or what you should do. Pursue your dreams. Listen to your self and show the world that there is nothing that a girl cannot achieve.