Hadiqa Kiani, Mahrang Baloch shine among BBC 100 Women for 2024

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Tuesday released its ‘100 Women for 2024’ list, which includes two influential women from Pakistan. Singer and songwriter Hadiqa Kayani and medical doctor and activist Maharang Baloch made their country proud. As she was honored by the BBC as one of the most inspiring and influential women of the year. She was mentioned among extraordinary women around the world, including stranded astronaut Sunita Williams, rape survivor Jessel Pellicott, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, among others.
But what makes Kayani and Baloch so inspiring and inspiring? Rising to fame in the 1990s, Kayani soon became known for her versatile voice, making her mark among Pakistan’s musical icons. She was celebrated in the South Asian female pop music scene. However, music is not the only thing she has been passionate about as she is also known for her contributions to humanitarian causes. She also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. According to the BBC, in response to the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan, Kayani launched his Wasila Rah project, focusing on helping victims in Balochistan and southern Punjab regions..Public to help displaced families and last year the project announced that it had built 370 houses and other facilities in the affected areas. Baloch, on the other hand, is one of the many women across Pakistan who have participated in protests against alleged enforced disappearances in Balochistan. .In late 2023, Baloch led hundreds of women in a 1,600-kilometer march to Islamabad demanding information about her family members.