Mahira Khan makes it to 'BBC 100 Most Inspiring Women'

Actor was acknowledged for 'speaking up about causes and issues that matter to encourage change'

BBC has released the list of its 100 most influential women of 2020 and Pakistani celebrity Mahira Khan is a part of it. "In a year of incredible change, it is only fitting that we acknowledge the female leaders who have helped us weather the storm," stated the outlet while releasing the names.

As for the reason why Khan was shortlisted, the network acknowledged that she "speaks up about the causes and issues that matter to encourage change."

"Khan is no ordinary actor – she is outspoken against sexual violence, refuses to endorse skin-lightening creams and supports the fight against racism," claimed the outlet. It went on to relay the Bin Roye star's determination to "tackle social issues in her native Pakistan by changing the narrative in films and on TV."

Furthermore, BBC reinstated how Khan is a national Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who is "raising awareness about the plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan."

"She’s been a firm favourite with audiences ever since starting out as an MTV video jockey (VJ) in 2006. Khan is also a devoted mother to her 11-year-old son," it concluded.

Earlier, as the UNHCR's Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan, Khan shared a video message featuring celebs from around the world to voice the plight of refugees everywhere. "We're proud to speak up for refugees everywhere," she said. "We all have a part to play in helping somebody else., including me. What will yours be?"

"Every action counts, every voice counts," she wrote in the caption for the share.

Hollywood celebs such as Reluctant Fundamentalist star Riz Ahmed, Cate Blanchett, Ben Stiller and Benedict Cumberbatch also spoke up for the cause in the same video as Khan's.

Prior to this, on World Refugee Day, in a bid to bring global awareness to the plight of refugees around the world, Khan voiced her narrative by tweeting about Pakistan's role in hosting millions of Afghan refugees. "They've been denied a home, but we haven't denied them hope," Mahira tweeted. "Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees over several years and continues to do so, we have given them a home within our motherland," she continued.

"When the refugees of Makkah were welcomed by the Ansar of Medina with an open heart, the tradition of brotherhood and solidarity came alive," the Raees star remarked in a follow up video. "To this day, the nation has kept these traditions alive."

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