On Tuesday, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released its prestigious “100 Women for 2024” list, which this year includes two prominent Pakistani women: singer-songwriter Hadiqa Kiani and medical doctor and activist Mahrang Baloch.
Kiani and Bloch’s inclusion places them among a diverse group of influential figures worldwide, such as astronaut Sunita Williams, rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, showcasing their significant contributions and influence.
Hadiqa Kiani gained fame in the 1990s and quickly became a staple in Pakistan’s music industry with her versatile vocal skills. Celebrated for her contributions to South Asian female pop music, Kiani has also been deeply involved in humanitarian efforts beyond her music career.
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As a United Nations Development Programme goodwill ambassador, she has leveraged her platform to promote various social causes. Notably, her response to the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan led to the initiation of her Vaseela-e-Raah project. This project focuses on providing substantial aid to Balochistan and South Punjab flood victims. Through her leadership, the project has successfully constructed 370 homes and other vital facilities for displaced families, urging public support to assist these communities further.
Mahrang Baloch has emerged as a formidable figure in human rights advocacy within Pakistan, particularly in the context of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Her activism gained significant attention in late 2023 when she spearheaded a 1,600km march to Islamabad. This march aimed to demand transparency and answers regarding the whereabouts of missing individuals from Balochistan, a poignant issue in the region.
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Despite facing arrests twice during the march, Baloch’s resolve only strengthened. Following these events, she founded the Baloch Yakjehti (Unity) Committee (BYC), through which she continues to lead efforts to address human rights violations. Her dedication and leadership have made her a central figure in Pakistani activism and earned her a spot on the TIME100 Next 2024 list, recognizing her as an emerging.
