2016 is almost over and for most people, it can’t end soon enough. We’ve seen tragic stories about refugees, wars and strife across the world, immense people departing and more.
However, the good comes with the bad. We’ve tried our best in these months past to cover stories of inspirational individuals that made us feel just a bit better.
We have compiled the top ten picks (in no particular order) from the year 2016, which make you feel proud at the depth of talent and courage that Pakistanis possess when facing heavy odds.
Lets revisit their remarkable achievements one by one to remind ourselves that the world is not quite as dark as it might seem.
Dr. Anum Najam – A Survivor Who Went on to Become Pakistan’s First Quadriplegic Psychiatrist
In 2008, Anum Najam was returning to Muzaffarabad from a wedding in Rawalpindi with her family, when out of nowhere a group of armed robbers fired at their car to stop them. One of the fired bullets penetrated Dr. Anum’s neck and stopped midway, which led to a spinal cord injury that paralyzed her full body from below the neck.
Fighting through the world of pain and failing to even have grip in her hands, she did not lose hope and recovered. After her recovery, she resumed her studies and completed her MBBS without a second thought. In 2016, she became the first Quadriplegic Psychiatrist in Pakistan.
Rafia Qaseem Baig – Pakistan’s first ever female member of the Bomb Disposal Unit
Belonging to the KPK province, Rafia Qaseem joined the police force as a constable in 2009. On her first day at the job, a bomb blast occurred near the sessions court. Attending the bomb site and seeing the massacre, she decided to apply to Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU).
As expected, Rafia had to fight against resistance within the organization upon her request to join BDU. However, staying committed, she was finally allowed to join the squad on permanent basis.
Rafia became the first woman to join BDU in the history of Pakistan. She did her Masters in Economics and International Relations but she wanted to continue her education, which is why she is now doing LLB from the University of Peshawar.
Fayeem Avzl – Son of an Ambulance Driver Who Won International Awards For His Film Making Skills
A son of an ambulance driver, Fayeem Avzl, proves that to be successful in life all you need is hard work, patience and commitment. He enrolled at National College of Arts (NCA) but soon after decided to drop out to pursue his love for film-making. What seemed like a failure to others was the beginning of a new journey for Fayeem.
Working with juniors at School of Creative Arts, UOL, Fayeem quickly established his reputation as one of the most creative people around. One praise leading to the other, it motivated Fayeem to give birth to his own short films. The short film made in the valley of Hunza is about a determined shepherdess who deserts her home to live in the pasture with her livestock. Supun Xik – The Last of the Wakhi Shepherdess won two awards, one in Bulgaria and one in Russia by the Early Bird Film Festival 2016.
Maria Toorpakia Wazir – The Waziristani Girl Who Disguised Herself as a Boy to Pursue Her Dreams
In a male dominant society, it is very tough for a woman to make her mark. However, Maria Toorpakia Wazir did so in a very spectacular manner. Driven by her desire to pursue a career in either gymnastics or squash, Maria dressed up as a boy from the age of four, which allowed her to go unnoticed in the gyms and squash courts. Working hard, at the age of 12, Maria was ranked number two in all of Pakistan for weightlifting in the junior division. However, Maria switched her focus to squash after that.
When she finally came of age, she decided to reveal her identity which invited unnecessary but much expected criticism and hatred. Her life was in danger.
Stranded at home, she contacted former and current squash players and various organizations. Only one of the players replied and it was the former number 1, Jonathan Power. He helped her to move abroad. Jonathan trained Maria, which led to her great success in squash career. Maria reached a career high position of 56 in 2016.
However, the good comes with the bad. We’ve tried our best in these months past to cover stories of inspirational individuals that made us feel just a bit better.
We have compiled the top ten picks (in no particular order) from the year 2016, which make you feel proud at the depth of talent and courage that Pakistanis possess when facing heavy odds.
Lets revisit their remarkable achievements one by one to remind ourselves that the world is not quite as dark as it might seem.
Dr. Anum Najam – A Survivor Who Went on to Become Pakistan’s First Quadriplegic Psychiatrist
In 2008, Anum Najam was returning to Muzaffarabad from a wedding in Rawalpindi with her family, when out of nowhere a group of armed robbers fired at their car to stop them. One of the fired bullets penetrated Dr. Anum’s neck and stopped midway, which led to a spinal cord injury that paralyzed her full body from below the neck.
Fighting through the world of pain and failing to even have grip in her hands, she did not lose hope and recovered. After her recovery, she resumed her studies and completed her MBBS without a second thought. In 2016, she became the first Quadriplegic Psychiatrist in Pakistan.
Rafia Qaseem Baig – Pakistan’s first ever female member of the Bomb Disposal Unit
Belonging to the KPK province, Rafia Qaseem joined the police force as a constable in 2009. On her first day at the job, a bomb blast occurred near the sessions court. Attending the bomb site and seeing the massacre, she decided to apply to Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU).
As expected, Rafia had to fight against resistance within the organization upon her request to join BDU. However, staying committed, she was finally allowed to join the squad on permanent basis.
Rafia became the first woman to join BDU in the history of Pakistan. She did her Masters in Economics and International Relations but she wanted to continue her education, which is why she is now doing LLB from the University of Peshawar.
Fayeem Avzl – Son of an Ambulance Driver Who Won International Awards For His Film Making Skills
A son of an ambulance driver, Fayeem Avzl, proves that to be successful in life all you need is hard work, patience and commitment. He enrolled at National College of Arts (NCA) but soon after decided to drop out to pursue his love for film-making. What seemed like a failure to others was the beginning of a new journey for Fayeem.
Working with juniors at School of Creative Arts, UOL, Fayeem quickly established his reputation as one of the most creative people around. One praise leading to the other, it motivated Fayeem to give birth to his own short films. The short film made in the valley of Hunza is about a determined shepherdess who deserts her home to live in the pasture with her livestock. Supun Xik – The Last of the Wakhi Shepherdess won two awards, one in Bulgaria and one in Russia by the Early Bird Film Festival 2016.
Maria Toorpakia Wazir – The Waziristani Girl Who Disguised Herself as a Boy to Pursue Her Dreams
In a male dominant society, it is very tough for a woman to make her mark. However, Maria Toorpakia Wazir did so in a very spectacular manner. Driven by her desire to pursue a career in either gymnastics or squash, Maria dressed up as a boy from the age of four, which allowed her to go unnoticed in the gyms and squash courts. Working hard, at the age of 12, Maria was ranked number two in all of Pakistan for weightlifting in the junior division. However, Maria switched her focus to squash after that.
When she finally came of age, she decided to reveal her identity which invited unnecessary but much expected criticism and hatred. Her life was in danger.
Stranded at home, she contacted former and current squash players and various organizations. Only one of the players replied and it was the former number 1, Jonathan Power. He helped her to move abroad. Jonathan trained Maria, which led to her great success in squash career. Maria reached a career high position of 56 in 2016.