Education has always been described as the backbone of any nation, but in Pakistan its journey has been
a test of resilience. Despite being declared a priority in countless policies, education often remained
underfunded and neglected by the state. It was women who refused to let this neglect define the
country’s future. Time and again, they stepped into the vacuum left by weak structures and proved that
education was not just about classrooms, but about survival, dignity, and progress. From the earliest
years of independence to today, women have built schools, shaped policies, and fought to keep the
dream of learning alive for millions of children.
Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan was among the earliest champions. In 1949, she founded the All Pakistan
Women’s Association (APWA), which went on to establish schools, vocational centers, and literacy
programs. At a time when resources were scarce, her leadership proved that women’s education was
central to nation-building. Around the same time, Begum Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah also emerged
as a strong voice. As one of the first women parliamentarians of Pakistan and a delegate at the United
Nations, she worked to shape education policies at home and contributed to drafting the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights abroad, linking Pakistan’s struggle for women’s education to the global
movement for equality.
In later years, the struggle for education continued to take new forms. Asma Jahangir, best known for her
fearless fight for human rights, consistently raised her voice for equal access to education, recognizing it
as the foundation of empowerment. From a very different background, Mukhtaran Mai also turned to
education as her answer to injustice. After facing immense personal tragedy, she established schools for
girls in rural Punjab, proving that even in the most neglected corners of the country, education could
transform entire communities.
The early 21st century brought Pakistan a young but powerful voice in Malala Yousafzai. Her courage in
standing up for girls’ schooling in Swat Valley made her a global symbol of resistance and hope. In 2014,
she became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate and co-founded the Malala Fund, which
supports education initiatives worldwide. Malala’s leadership showed the world that the right to learn is
non-negotiable.
That same year, Ms. Ainee Nasir Jamy carried this torch forward with the founding of Sunbeams School
System. A visionary leader, she dared to imagine a Pakistan free from illiteracy and is now working to
make this vision a reality. Through the ambitious PK 100 for 100 Campaign—a project that aims to make
100% of Pakistan literate by the nation’s 100th birthday—she has transformed Sunbeams into a
nationwide mission. What started with a single school in Hanjarwal, Lahore, on 14th August 2014, has
grown into 162+ schools, reaching more than 15,000 students with the support of 400+ teachers across
12 districts of Pakistan. The initiative also focuses on diversity in learning, with 35 non-formal schools for
out-of-school children, 12 madrassah programs integrating modern education (spread across Lahore,
Islamabad, Okara, and Layyah), and 5 vocational centres—three of them affiliated with NAVTTC—
providing practical skills to empower youth.
With over three decades of experience in education and social entrepreneurship, Ms. Jamy has worked
to bring inclusive, quality education to underserved communities across Pakistan. Sunbeams has
partnered with APWA, linking the pioneering legacy of Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan to today’s grassroots
reality. Having also worked with UNICEF, CARE Foundation, and LACAS, and with experience in the US
and UK, she has combined global expertise with local vision, ensuring that children in the most neglected
areas gain access to learning and opportunity.
Alongside Ms. Jamy, other education leaders have emerged in recent years. Humaira Bachal, who began
her journey as a teenager in Karachi’s Lyari, went on to establish the Dream Foundation Trust, dedicated
to educating underprivileged children. Baela Raza Jamil, through Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, has redefined
education reform with large-scale literacy initiatives and the Annual Status of Education Report, a tool
that has shaped national policy through data-driven advocacy.
From Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan’s APWA schools to Shaista Ikramullah’s pioneering policy voice, from
Malala’s global platform to Ms. Ainee Nasir Jamy’s Sunbeams vision, women in Pakistan have
continuously led the way in education. Their work, each building on the foundations laid by those before
them, is a reminder that the future of Pakistan rests on classrooms filled with hope, equality, and
opportunity.
About Author:
The author is an IR researcher with a focus on education and social change. She is currently an intern at Sunbeams School System.
