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In Kashmiri there is a saying, “Panni Bebbi He Muskhak” which simply means smell your own self. Before making false claims that women in Kashmir are suppressed, Pakistan must answer questions about its own record. What about the death of Karima Baloch, a female activist from Balochistan? What about Sabeen Mahmud, the human rights activist who was shot dead? What about Fareeda Kokikhel Afridi, the young women’s rights activist who was also killed? And what about Mahrang Baloch, who has repeatedly faced detention for raising her voice?
Pakistan has rarely missed an opportunity to speak ill about India or circulate misleading narratives about Kashmir on social media. The irony, however, is hard to miss. Much of what Pakistan accuses India of in Jammu and Kashmir, whether it concerns development, education, women’s empowerment, or economic progress, is in fact a reality in the regions under its own control, including Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and even parts of mainland Pakistan. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the X handle of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan issued a statement whose concluding paragraph claimed that Pakistan continues to advocate for the rights of women and girls, including “our Kashmiri sisters enduring decades of occupation and human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied J&K.” Such assertions demand a clear response. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, a reality established through the Instrument of Accession. As a Kashmiri myself, I reject this statement outright. At the same time, I must point out that our brothers and sisters living in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan remain under Pakistan’s control, where allegations of resource exploitation, the silencing of activists, and the suppression of dissenting voices are frequently reported. Equally questionable is the claim that women in Jammu and Kashmir are disempowered, backward, or voiceless. To respond to this narrative, I decided to speak directly to women across Kashmir who are shaping their own paths and contributing to society in meaningful ways. This article is therefore both a reflection and a public reaction. In the course of writing it, I interacted with women from different walks of life, including entrepreneurs, academicians, teachers, journalists, homemakers, and young professionals who are making their mark in their respective fields.
Mariya Reshi, a Srinagar-based Entrepreneur
While speaking to Mariya Reshi, I learned that she holds a degree in Food Technology from the Islamic University of Science and Technology. Before entering the world of business, she worked as a teacher in a private school and later secured a government job. However, the idea of doing something different kept pushing her. “I wanted to do something different and create space for more girls to work with me. That is why I decided to leave my job,” Mariya said. Her entrepreneurial journey began in the most modest way. She started by selling shawls and suits door to door, slowly building a loyal customer base. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal business activity, she adapted quickly and shifted her work online through Instagram.
“During COVID, I shifted my business online through Instagram, which helped me expand my reach and attract more customers,” she added. As her customer base grew, Mariya opened a store in the HMT area of Srinagar. She later established a makeup academy and boutique where she not only runs her business but also trains other women so they can earn their livelihood independently. When I asked her about her experience with official procedures and documentation, her response was particularly encouraging. “One of the major reasons for my rapid growth in business is that my documentation process was completed very quickly. I faced almost zero hassles during the entire process,” Mariya said.
Her story itself is a strong response to the narrative being pushed by Pakistan’s leadership. Women like Mariya Reshi stand as living examples of how Kashmiri women today are self-reliant, ambitious, and free to pursue excellence in whatever field they choose.
Sania Zehra, The Bee Queen of Kashmir
While speaking to Sania Zehra, popularly known as the Bee Queen of Kashmir, I came across yet another inspiring story of determination and self-reliance. Hailing from Balhama in Srinagar, Sania stepped into the field of beekeeping at a time when the profession was largely dominated by men. Her journey began by assisting her father in the family’s beekeeping work. With time, curiosity turned into passion and she decided to pursue the field more seriously. “Initially people were surprised to see a woman working so closely with bees, but I believed that if one works with dedication nothing is impossible,” Sania said while sharing her experience. Gradually, she expanded the work and started managing a large number of bee colonies on her own. What began with a small number of colonies soon grew into a full-fledged entrepreneurial venture. Today, Sania manages hundreds of bee colonies and produces organic honey that reaches customers beyond Kashmir as well.
During our conversation, Sania also shared how government support helped her scale her work further. She informed that she received financial assistance under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program of the J&K government. With a subsidy of around ₹1.12 lakh, she was able to expand her beekeeping units and invest in better infrastructure for the venture. Apart from producing honey, Sania has also been encouraging others to understand the importance of beekeeping, which not only provides livelihood opportunities but also plays an important role in supporting agriculture through pollination. When I asked her about the challenges she faced as a woman entering such an unconventional field, her response reflected confidence and optimism. “Every field has challenges, but if you stay committed and keep learning, success follows. I always believed that women should not hesitate to enter any profession,” she said.
The story of Sania Zehra also carries another important dimension. She belongs to the Shia Muslim community. At a time when disturbing reports frequently emerge from Pakistan about attacks on Shia Muslims and the challenges they face in living with dignity, the reality in Kashmir stands in sharp contrast. Here in Kashmir, a Shia Muslim woman is not only running a successful entrepreneurial venture but is also inspiring others to step into new fields with confidence. In fact, members of the Shia community in Jammu and Kashmir are active in every sphere of life, from business and academics to politics, with even representation in the Parliament of India. Sania Zehra’s journey therefore becomes more than just a story of entrepreneurship. It reflects how women in Kashmir, including those from minority sects, are finding space, opportunity, and encouragement to grow, innovate, and make both Kashmir and India proud on different platforms.
Ruqaya Qureshi, a Wushu Champion
Ruqaya Qureshi is among the young Kashmiri women who have made the region proud in the world of sports. Hailing from Srinagar, Ruqaya developed an interest in martial arts at a young age and soon chose to pursue Wushu, a discipline that demands immense physical strength, discipline, and mental resilience. With consistent training and determination, she quickly rose through the ranks at the national level and went on to represent India in international competitions. Over the years, Ruqaya has won several medals in national championships and has also brought laurels to the country in international Wushu events. Her journey reflects the growing participation of Kashmiri girls in sports, a field that was once considered unconventional for women in the region. Through dedication and perseverance, Ruqaya Qureshi has not only carved out a place for herself in martial arts but has also become an inspiration for many young girls in Kashmir who aspire to pursue sports professionally.
Ruqaya’s success is yet another reminder to Islamabad that the claims of Kashmiri women being disempowered simply do not hold ground. From entrepreneurship to sports, women in Kashmir are stepping forward with confidence and making the region proud on national and international platforms.
If I keep writing the success stories of women in Kashmir, this article will never end. I spoke to many of them, but not every story can find space here. Yet one message echoes through every conversation: women in Kashmir are free to fly, supported by opportunities and institutions that help them move ahead. I can recall only a few names from different fields. There is Faza Zainab in journalism, Farhana Bhat in cinema, Saira Halim Shah in education, and Dr. Seema Nazir in healthcare, among many others who are making Kashmir proud in their own ways. In Kashmiri there is a saying, “Panni Bebbi He Muskhak” which simply means smell your own self. Before making false claims that women in Kashmir are suppressed, Pakistan must answer questions about its own record. What about the death of Karima Baloch, a female activist from Balochistan? What about Sabeen Mahmud, the human rights activist who was shot dead? What about Fareeda Kokikhel Afridi, the young women’s rights activist who was also killed? And what about Mahrang Baloch, who has repeatedly faced detention for raising her voice?
Let Pakistan’s foreign minister first answer who is responsible for the fate of these women activists in Pakistan. Many of them were targeted simply because they spoke about injustice and demanded dignity and rights for their people. As I write these lines, my thoughts also go out to my brothers and sisters living in Pakistanoccupied Jammu and Kashmir, GilgitBaltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, regions where voices of dissent are often met with intimidation and repression. Their struggle for dignity and justice remains a painful reminder of the reality that exists beyond the narratives pushed by Pakistan’s establishment sitting in the corridors of power in Islamabad.
As a common Kashmiri, I therefore appeal to the international community and global human rights institutions to pay attention to the plight of women living in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where their dignity, safety, and voices often remain under threat. At the same time, Pakistan must refrain from making such misleading claims about Kashmir in the future. The stories of women from this side of the Line of Control speak for themselves. As a Kashmiri, I feel proud to belong to a part of India where development, education, entrepreneurship, and opportunity are encouraged, and where women are free to shape their own destinies rather than live under the shadow of extremism and violence.
Email: soulofkashmir1@gmail.com
