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Pakistan's Power Women

Pakistan has no dearth of talent that is doing the country proud. Here is a select list of four women who continue to be an inspiration to millions, writes Sadiq Shaban

Rahila Durrani
A lawyer by profession, Rahila Durrani holds the distinction of being the first-ever female speaker of the 65-member strong provincial assembly of Balochistan. As leader of the unicameral legislature, she is the 14th speaker of the assembly but the first woman head. Elected unopposed, Durrani made news since it is unusual for women to assume high public offices in a province that has been traditionally dominated by men. As a noted social worker, Durrani has won several laurels. She is a member of the Public Safety Commission Balochistan, National Commission on Status of Women, and the Balochistan Olympic Association.
Laraib Atta
Not every day does one hear about a Pakistani girl making it big in Hollywood. Laraib Atta was just 19 when she went to Los Angeles to work as a visual effect artist in 2006. Daughter of renowned folk singer Attaullah Khan Esakhailvi, Laraib has worked on films like X-Men: Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Gravity, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Trader and Prince Caspian, 10, 000 BC and Johnny Depp's Sweeney Todd. The talented Pakistani has also contributed to the Rolling Stones and Disney in recent years. Laraib has previously worked with reputed brands like BBC, Glassworks Barcelona and MPC.
Gulalai Ismail
Ranked one of the 100 Leading Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine, Gulalai Ismail is one of Pakistan's leading human rights activists. The Peshawar-born activist has been on the board of the Women's Global Network on Reproductive Rights, and Executive Committee of the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation. For her work in empowering and educating women, mostly through her organisation - Aware Girls - Gulalai was awarded last year's Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence in Development Work. She had previously won the coveted International Humanist Award as well.
 
Maheen Rahman
One of Pakistan's best money managers, Maheen Rahman heads the Alfalah GHP Investment Management. Starting her career as an analyst at Merrill Lynch & Co. in Singapore, she returned to Pakistan in 2007. The 40-year-old has been credited with giving a makeover to the asset management firm IGI Funds, making it a hugely profitable acquisition target. Rahman, who graduated from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and got a master's degree in economics and finance from Warwick Business School, UK, is currently ranked among Pakistan's top 20 CEOs. -sadiq@khaleejtimes.com