KARACHI: A vibrant celebration of women’s achievements and empowerment marked the fifth edition of the Bint-e-Pakistan Awards, organised by Karachi Women Entrepreneurs under the leadership of Shama Rashid on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026.
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The ceremony was held on April 22 at the historic Quaid-e-Azam House, bringing together a distinguished gathering of women leaders, professionals, and social contributors from across Pakistan.
The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by Hamd and the national anthem, setting a respectful and inspiring tone. The proceedings were hosted by Ayesha Noman, who guided the audience through an engaging and well-structured programme.
In her keynote address, Shama Rashid congratulated the award recipients and acknowledged the participation of women who had travelled from different parts of the country. She highlighted the persistent challenges faced by women in various sectors and reiterated the organisation’s commitment to promoting inclusive growth and empowerment through entrepreneurship and leadership initiatives.
A key highlight of the event was a Women Summit, moderated by Irum Fawad, where panelists including Shama Rashid, Khursheed Hyder, Sultana Shamshal, Ammara Umair, and Sadaf Altaf Lohya shared their personal journeys, professional experiences, and insights into overcoming societal and economic barriers. The interactive session allowed attendees to engage directly with the speakers, fostering meaningful dialogue on women’s advancement.
The ceremony was attended by chief guest Muhammad Irfan Soomro, who emphasised the crucial role of women in national development. In his address, he drew inspiration from prominent figures such as Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Fatima Jinnah, and Benazir Bhutto, underscoring their enduring legacy in shaping leadership and resilience.
A wide range of women from diverse fields including healthcare, entrepreneurship, culinary arts, media, and social work were honoured for their contributions. Among the notable awardees were Dr Bilquis Sheikh, Mehwish Jahangir Sachwani, Chef Nazia Qaiser, Fatima Lodhi, Chef Komal Ahmer, Dr Nausheen Butt, Perveen Aslam Imdad, Nissa Chaudhary, Misbha Mujeeb, Nadia Saleem, Fauzia Khan, Komal Nayab, Sarwat Siddiqui, Fabiha Fatima, Faiza Siddiqui, Sabika Sanaullah, Syeda Zehra Asghar, Sabahat Bukhari, Nuzhatt Abid Jaffri, Chef Ayesha Noman, Sadaf Altaf Lohya, and Fariha Azmat.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sultana Shamshal in recognition of her long-standing contributions and impact in her field.
The event also featured special guest appearances by Rafiq Vayani, Zahid Karani, Turab Shah, and Ayaz Awan, adding further prominence to the occasion.
The ceremony concluded with a cake-cutting celebration followed by a hi-tea reception, providing an opportunity for networking and informal interaction among attendees.
In her closing remarks, Shama Rashid expressed gratitude to all participants, media representatives, and supporting organisations for their continued encouragement and coverage, noting that such platforms are essential to recognising women’s achievements and inspiring future generations.
