Endurance and commitment to a cause always makes it big. So is the rise of Saima Saleem, a visually impaired woman, who made her career in Foreign Service of Pakistan by overcoming all kinds of societal obstacles. The very fact that she sits at the pinnacle as a secretary for Human Rights at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva is an apt acknowledgment of Pakistan too, for providing equal opportunity employment, and that too for people with special needs.
Saima’s passion has made it a telling tale of resilience for her likes, and goes on to exhibit the talent that is inculcated in her. Even though the gazetted officer is blind by her sensual ability, her vision has made a mark at the United Nations General Assembly, making the country proud for what she is! The eloquent case that she made on Pakistan’s behalf at the UNGA by unmasking the tyranny of India in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir has won her laurels. Her rebuttal was not only strong and convincing, it left an undeniable impact as she did it with intuition while sliding her fingers on a draft of Braille. She has made the world see the truth in all humility.
Saima is in need of being eulogised, in an attempt to let her likes follow her as a role model. With an MPhil in English literature, bagging sixth position in CSS exams countrywide and topper among women, as well as being a Fulbright Scholar are unimaginable achievements. She was rightfully recognised by Pakistan, and has risen to echelons of power and prestige. Two of the distinguished civil servant’s siblings, who are blind too, have similarly climbed the ladder of success to become the first blind judge and a lecturer, respectively. This heroic trajectory is the pride of Pakistan. People with birth discrepancies or accidental disabilities should not be shunned. The state and the society must come forward to foster their skills, and enable them their due in our midst.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2021.
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