Woman travels 60km on motorcycle to teach students in tribal areas

I will do my utmost best to empower the children of South Punjab, says Mahjabeen Malghani

MULTAN: Everyday, 33-year-old Mahjabeen Malghani, travels approximately 60 kilometres on a motorcycle, to go and teach students at a boy’s primary school, in Dera Ghazi Khan.

A resident of Basti Sokar and a devoted teacher, Malghani travels all the way from her home to Government Primary School No 2 located in Basti Kalairi; once a hub of militants and gangsters, where a number of militants were killed during an operation led by security forces over a year ago.

A MA in political science from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Malghani has been teaching for six years. For six years, she has braved the uneven topography on the back of her trusty motorcycle. Her husband, Farooq Nehal, an elementary school teacher, was the one who taught her how to ride the motorcycle.

Malghani is the only female teacher employed at the school. Belonging to a Baloch family, her own relatives have given her a difficult time for going against the grain. However, her presence at the school does not go unnoticed.

I send my daughters to school because of Mahjabeen madam. There are no schools for girls in our area but seeing her bravery and devotion, persuaded me to educate my children, expressed Muhammad Akram, a resident of the area, while speaking to The Express Tribune.



The residents trust and protect me as I have been visiting the area daily for the past six years. At first, I was petrified due to the conservative views of the tribal leaders. But my husband and my mother-in-law gave me a lot of strength and support, which is why I am able to do what I do, she articulated.

Principal Imtiaz Ahmed showed appreciation for Malghani’s dedication to her profession. She was present at the school even when security forces were conducting an operation against militants in the area, he informed.

We love our teacher because she never takes a day off no matter what the circumstances, said a fifth grade student named Mustafa. She even comes to school when it is raining, he added.



Civil society activist Khaleefa Sueiman lauded Malghani’s efforts. She is a source of inspiration and a role model for the women in the area, he said. In fact, other women should join her on her mission to educate pupils and eradicate illiteracy in Pakistan, he opined.

But despite her dedication to her mission, after six year of making the gruelling journey to and fro, Malghani now wishes to teach in a school close to home. As mother of six, she feels as though her home and family require more of her attention.



It takes a lot of time and energy for me to travel back and forth, which is why I am contemplating transferring to a school nearby, she said.
However, transferring schools will not deter this warrior from her mission and ultimate goal.

“My dream is to educate the children residing within tribal areas,” she revealed. “I will do my utmost best to empower the children of South Punjab.”