Tribune staffer becomes first woman in 55 years to join photographers’ association

Aysha was just one vote short in securing the highest number of votes

The Express Tribune’s photographer, Aysha Saleem, has been elected as a member of the governing body of the Pakistan Association of Press Photographers.

This is the first time in the history of the 55-year-old registered association that a female photographer had contested the elections, won and is now part of the governing body.



Aysha, who contested from the Green Panel, was just one vote short in securing the highest number of votes. She received 57 votes in total.

The elections were held at the Karachi Press Club on Monday. Aysha is presently working at the paper’s City desk.

Earlier this month, The Express Tribune’s photojournalist Huma Choudhary, 30, passed away on Saturday at a local hospital in Islamabad.

Choudhary was on an official work assignment in the United Arab Emirates where she suspected she had contracted food poisoning, according to colleagues and family who had spoken with her.

She flew back to Pakistan on Saturday morning and was taken to a hospital where she passed away. The cause of her death has not been ascertained yet.



Choudhary was a graduate of the Lahore School of Economics. She left a lucrative career in the financial sector to join The Express Tribune as a photojournalist in the summer of 2014. Her decision was prompted by a desire to contribute to society in a more meaningful manner and help restore a more positive image of Pakistan.

During her time with the paper, she contributed to a number of memorable photographs and stories to the paper. Beyond her contributions to the newspaper, her lively personality, desire to constantly improve, and a willingness to test herself were a source of inspiration for her co-workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2016.