The Bright Side

Barrister Breaking the Barriers

Zahrah Sehr Vayani is a seasoned litigator with over 14 years of diverse legal experience across Pakistan and the UK. Appointed as Assistant Attorney General for Pakistan in January 2024, she has represented clients in high-profile civil, constitutional, family, commercial, banking, and criminal matters before the High Court of Sindh and other forums.

A graduate of the University of Manchester and a member of Lincoln’s Inn, Zahrah was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2008 and later became an Attorney at Law in New York after clearing the NY Bar. Her legal journey began in London, where she trained at a criminal set and became one of the few Pakistanis to complete pupillage in the UK. In Pakistan, Zahrah has worked with prestigious chambers before co-founding the female-led firm Malkani and Vayani. Today, she leads her own practice, Zahrah S. Vayani & Associates, with a team of twelve associates.

Beyond the courtroom, she is a fierce advocate for women’s rights and legal empowerment. Zahrah is the founding CEO of the Women Lawyers’ Association, and has served as a subject-matter expert on child abuse for the Sindh Provincial Parliamentary Advisory Committee. She is actively engaged in pro bono work, particularly in cases involving harassment, domestic abuse, child rights, and rape.

She is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Bar Association (UK) and has worked on projects with PILER and the Legal Aid Society, focusing on property rights and legal education.

A Mission for Inclusive Empowerment

Bisma Qamar is Pakistan’s official Youth Delegate to United Nations. Born and raised in the U.S, she made a deliberate move to include Pakistan focused on bridging the gap between talent and opportunities across both regions – believing the real challenge lies not in talent but in the lack of recognition and representation of that talent to grow.

In the field of learning and development, Bisma has focused on developing learning interventions and platforms aimed to acknowledge, educate and then empower individuals across academic and corporate sectors – tapping their potential through capacity building.

As a representative on global forums such as the United Nations, she has been working towards creating inclusive policies and platforms – where it’s no longer about waiting for a seat to be offered but rather on enabling individuals to bring their own chair and expand the table. “The world belongs to those bold enough to shape it.” For Bisma, leadership is about abundance by building equitable access and opportunities for all those who simply dream.

The Knockout Queen of Lyari

From the streets of Lyari to the world-boxing arena, 19-year-old Aaliya Soomro is punching her way through history—one knockout at a time.

In just 45 seconds, Aaliya floored her Thai opponent in a World Boxing Fight in Bangkok, making global headlines and proving that power doesn’t come from privilege—it comes from passion. With no sponsors, no fancy gyms, and no big names backing her, Aaliya’s strength came from within. “Boxing isn’t just for men,” she declared, smashing stereotypes with her gloves and grit.

Born and raised in one of Karachi’s most underprivileged areas, Aaliya started boxing at just six years old. What began as a childhood dream has now grown into an unstoppable legacy. She remains undefeated in her professional career and is now gearing up for her next bout—a high-stakes fight against an Indian opponent in Dubai this August, for the Women’s International Boxing Association title.

Honoured at the Karachi Press Club with a ceremony hosted by the Pakistan Association of Press Photographers, Aaliya’s story resonated deeply with everyone present.“Her success is a beacon of hope for young women,” said veteran journalist GM Jamali.

Today, Aaliya Soomro isn’t just fighting in the ring, she’s fighting for recognition, respect, and for every girl who dares to dream.

Rising Stars on the Track

From the bustling streets of Karachi emerge three young athletes redefining what it means to dream big. Anaya Ahsan Feroz, Alayna Asif, and Rania Fayyaz, all under the age of 15, are capturing national attention with their exceptional track and field performances.

With golds and bronzes from the Quaid-e-Azam Games 2024 and podium finishes at the National Games in Multan, their achievements speak volumes. Representing Pakistan at the 8th Children of Asia Games in Russia, they’ve already made their mark internationally. These girls aren’t just running races, they’re paving the way for Pakistan’s bright athletic future.

Kicking Stereotypes

Mazhar Mehsud of South Waziristan just put Pakistan on the global Taekwondo map and he did it in gold. The young martial artist clinched a gold medal at the 21st WATA Open Taekwondo Championship held in Osaka, Japan, defeating India’s Vinodh Kumar in a fiercely fought final.

Hailing from a region often overlooked in sports, Mazhar’s victory is not just a personal triumph but a win for the entire nation. His dedication, discipline, and spirit have made him a symbol of resilience and rising talent from Pakistan’s tribal belt. Draped in the national flag, standing tall with medals around his neck, Mazhar Mehsud is not just a champion; he’s a beacon of hope for a new generation of athletes.