In the agricultural plains of Comilla District (than East Pakistan and now Bangladesh) a low range 2 miles wide and 11 miles long known as Mainamati (now Comilla Cantonment housing a Bangladesh Infantry Division) Used as an aircraft base during the Second World War, in 1956 it was the headquarters of 53 Bde. My father was commanding one of the infantry units, 2E Bengal, I was than aged 10. My late sister Shahnaz, then seven years became the best friend of another seven year old, Shaheen, the daughter of Bde Comd 53 Bde, Brig (later Lt Gen) Attiq ur Rahman. Shaheen, Shahnaz and I went to the same school together, Our Lady of Fatima Convent, of which I was the first student in 1953 when my father was Brigade Major (BM) 53 Bde. My mother‘s best friend was Mrs Farhat Attiqur Rahman (Furry Auntie), in private my father called (than) Brig Attiq by his nickname “TURK”. My earliest recollection of Furry Auntie and my mother (among others Mrs Mahmood Jan, Mrs Leslie, etc) are their riding bicycles in 1952 in Staff College Quetta on their way to play squash and tennis in Quetta Club. Both Gen Attiq and Shaheen played good tennis, I was fortunate to being their tennis partner at times in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Mangla when posted there. Lt Gen Attiq was Commanding 4 Corps when I was Adjustant 2 E Bengal in Lahore, later I became his helicopter pilot in Mangla when he was Comd 1 Corps. One of my role models in the Army, I was privileged and honoured to be invited by Shaheen (and Shams her younger sister) to be the lead speaker after his death at the launch of Lt Gen Attiq’s autobiography “Back to the Pavilion” in Lahore. Our friendship as a family has lasted more than seven decades. Having had his schooling in London before the Second World War, Gen Attiq came back to British India in 1939 to join the British Indian Army, winning the coveted Sword of Honour in the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun. Joining the infantry (6FF), he won the Military Cross (MC) in Burma. He chose to opt for Pakistan in 1947. Besides two Infantry Corps of the Pakistan Army, he commanded three infantry divisions in his career. His finest moments were as the Adjutant General of the Pakistan Army, he has left his mark on the turnout and discipline of this Army. He was a soldier through and through, above all he was always fair and just, inculcating a tremendous sense of humour. His daughter has fortunately inherited some of this.
Born in Sialkot in April 1948, Shaheen Attiq-ur-Rehman embodies resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication to social change, she is a mixture of both her parents. As the Vice Chairperson and the founder of Bunyad Foundation, a 25-yearold Institute, she has been transforming the lives of many intellectually, socially, and financially. She has worked as a Minister of Social Welfare, Women’s Development and Bait-ul-Mall for the development of society and as the Chairperson of the Red Cross to deal with disasters and rehabilitation. Her journey from an elitist upbringing to becoming a champion for the marginalized communities in Pakistan is both inspiring and impactful. Motivated by the stark realities faced by the underprivileged, particularly women, in slums and rural areas, Shaheen embarked on a mission to promote literacy and empowerment. Despite facing resistance from bureaucratic structures, she persisted in her efforts to spearhead adult education initiatives, recognizing them as fundamental steps towards societal transformation. Shaheen’s work not only increased enrolment rates among women but also challenged prevailing gender norms and attitudes towards education. Beyond literacy, her projects extended to addressing various social issues such as child labour, epilepsy care, and infrastructure development, reflecting her holistic approach to community development. Internationally recognized for her contributions, Shaheen’s accolades from several international organizations underscore the significance of her work on a global scale. The organization has won various awards including the Communications Medal, UNESCO, Paris, 1998 for “Innovative Work in Literacy” the King Sejong Prize, UNESCO Paris 2002 for the best NGO for the promotion of literacy; and the Presidential Award of Aziz-e-Fazilat for literacy promotion. Shaheen‘s journey exemplifies the transformative power of grassroots initiatives and underscores the profound impact of individual dedication to social change. Through her tireless efforts, she has not only improved the lives of countless individuals but also inspired others to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive society in Pakistan.
Shaheen Attiq-ur-Rehman’s legacy goes beyond mere philanthropy; it embodies a vision for sustainable change and empowerment. By leveraging her background in social work and politics, she has catalyzed initiatives that address the root causes of social inequality and injustice. Through her strategic leadership as the Executive Director of the Bunyad Foundation, Shaheen has orchestrated projects that not only provide immediate relief but also lay the groundwork for long-term community resilience and self-sufficiency. Her understanding of the ground realities of women, especially of those in rural areas is remarkable. The rural areas are controlled by feudal lords and they don’t like to have individual thinking in rural areas. Bunyad is trying to link the rural areas with urban areas through learning. She believes that women are the first school for the child and a change maker in the whole community. Women are working at home and also outside in villages but there is no monetary remuneration for their labour. This needs to be changed and the definition of working women must be revised. Her candid style and devotion to women’s empowerment is an emblem of hope for every progressive mind, her organization is advocating for it as they believe that without economic recognition of women, their status can’t be changed. She firmly stands for women and their right to access to finance, markets, and networking which is a hurdle in women’s empowerment. She has worked in communities where feudalism and the worst patriarchal system don’t allow anyone to enter from the outside world. Her courage and devotion made it possible to ignite literacy in such backward clans. Facing death threats while working because her cause was noble and she stood with bravery against all cowards. Her emphasis on education as a tool for empowerment reflects a deep understanding of the transformative power of knowledge and skills in breaking the cycle of poverty. Despite financial constraints and bureaucratic hurdles, her commitment to uplifting marginalised communities remains steadfast. She is a true warrior against illiteracy and found her ways. Shaheen’s advocacy extends beyond the borders of Pakistan, positioning her as a global leader in the fight against illiteracy and social marginalization. Her extensive travels and engagements with international organizations have not only garnered recognition for her work but have also facilitated knowledge exchange and collaboration on a global scale. By sharing best practices and lessons learned from her experiences in Pakistan, Shaheen has contributed to shaping global discourse on development, education, and gender equality. In doing so, she has amplified the voices of the marginalized and reaffirmed the importance of grassroots-driven initiatives in achieving sustainable development goals worldwide. As the head of the Bunyad Foundation, Shaheen Attiq-ur-Rehman stands at the forefront of women’s empowerment in Pakistan. With a focus on vocational training and skill development, literacy and loans for women, the foundation aims to equip women with the necessary tools to achieve financial independence and break the cycle of poverty. However, despite the commendable efforts of organizations like the Bunyad Foundation, significant challenges persist, particularly in accessing markets and leveraging digital technologies for sustainable employment. While vocational training provides valuable skills, the lack of certification and soft skills, such as English language proficiency, often hinder the employability of women in Pakistan’s labour market. Addressing these issues requires collaboration between organizations like the Bunyad Foundation and government agencies such as the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to provide certification, enhance soft skills training, and facilitate access to markets and digital platforms.
Furthermore, the digitalization of Pakistan’s economy and the financial inclusion of women are crucial for sustainable development and economic empowerment. By embracing digital networking and financial inclusion initiatives, women trained in vocational centers can overcome barriers to market access and unlock new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. The Bunyad Foundation, NAVTTC, and other stakeholders can pave the way for international certification of skilled labour, enabling Pakistani women to compete effectively in the global market. With Shaheen Attiq-ur-Rehman’s visionary leadership and the collective efforts of organizations and government agencies, Pakistan can harness the full potential of its female workforce, driving economic growth and social progress for generations to come.
IKRAM SEHGAL
