HUM Network successfully hosted its inaugural event of year, the Kashmir HUM Women Leaders Award 2026, on Monday, January 26, at the Pearl Continental Hotel in Lahore. The event was graced by Chief Minister of Punjab, Ms. Maryam Nawaz Sharif as the chief guest, along with Ms. Sultana Siddiqui, President and Mr. Duraid Qureshi, CEO, HUM Network. Also in attendance were distinguished ministers, dignitaries, consul generals, ambassadors, celebrities, and prominent personalities from the fields of art and culture, as well as the senior management of HUM Network. The event drew over 500 attendees.
HUM Network has long been a champion of women’s empowerment, actively advocating for gender equality both publicly and within its organisational framework. Recognising the vital role women play in shaping the future, the network’s commitment to this cause inspired the creation of the HUM Women Leaders Award (HWLA), which aims to celebrate and recognise women leaders from Pakistan and around the world, who have made a significant impact across various sectors, exemplifying leadership, innovation, and resilience.
Since its inception in 2020, the Award has set itself apart as the only award show held on an unparalleled scale to recognise women. From game-changers in business and education to champions of healthcare, social justice, arts, health, law, women’s rights, diplomacy and journalism, HUM Women Leaders Award shares their inspiring stories and showcases their triumphs and challenges – to motivate and empower a new generation of female leaders.
Each year, the Award honours eleven extraordinary women and one exceptional man who have championed the cause for women. These recipients are selected by a prestigious jury comprising experts from various fields, including Amin Hashwani, Huma Baqai, Maliha Lodhi, Ameena Saiyid, and Rehana Hakim, who have been integral to the awards since its first edition.
This year’s event was hosted by the talented duo of Sanam Saeed and Zahid Ahmed, with Aisha Yousuf expertly navigating the red carpet as the host.
The evening commenced with a captivating video celebrating the legacy of the HUM Women Leaders Award, highlighting memorable moments from the previous editions. This was followed by the national anthem and President HNL, Ms. Sultana Siddiqui’s welcome address.
Ms Siddiqui said: “The HUM Woman Leaders Award is very close to my heart because each awardee has made tremendous strides to create a name for herself. As a woman, I understand firsthand what it takes to raise one’s voice, break barriers, and overcome prejudices in pursuit of one’s dreams and aspirations. It is my sincerest hope that the courage and resilience of these women radiate through each of us and inspires a ripple effect of progress and empowerment. May this platform continue to uplift the status of women and bring about meaningful change.”
After her speech, she invited the evening’s chief guest, Ms. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, onto the stage to present her with an award and to offer her felicitations to the awardees.
Yasmin Qureshi, a British politician and barrister, was the first to be honoured with the HUM Women Leaders Award, followed by activist Ms. Anis Haroon. The evening continued with a stunning choreographed performance by entrepreneur, educationist, and dance performer Fatima Amjad.
The third, fourth, fifth and sixth awards were presented to Mai Jindo, a labourer from Dadu district; Jahan Ara, former president P@SHA and CEO of Katalyst Labs; Dr Sara Saeed Khurram, founder of the digital healthcare platform Sehat Kahani and Brigadier Dr. Helen Mary Roberts, the first woman from a minority faith to achieve the rank of brigadier in the Pakistan Armed Forces, respectively. This award segment concluded with a heartfelt performance by singer and humanitarian Shahzad Roy.
The recipients of the next segment featured Tunisian entrepreneur and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ouided Bouchamaoui. She was followed by Lal Pari, a healthcare professional from Shimshal, Gilgit Baltistan; businessman and philanthropist Syed Babar Ali; and humanitarian Nadira Panjwani.
The event also paid a touching tribute to the legendary Madam Noor Jehan, with her iconic songs beautifully reinterpreted by the talented Quratulain Baloch, and honoured two legendary women who made remarkable contributions in their respective fields: Ms. Zubeida Mustafa, a pioneering and one of the first women to work in the country’s mainstream media, who was also an esteemed HWLA jury member; and Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, a distinguished economist, banker, diplomat, and politician – one of the HWLA Awardees.
The final three awardees of the event were Canadian journalist Kathy Gannon, children’s rights activist and politician Sarah Ahmad, and Pakistan’s 33rd Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Ms. Amna Baloch.
Last but not least, a special Kashmir Golden Plate of Excellence was presented to actress, host and activist Nadia Jamil for her contributions to promoting women’s empowerment and social justice in Pakistan.
