Zobaida Jalal

Zobaida Jalal

Zobaida Jalal is a renowned social activist and educationist, known for her work in women empowerment. She has held key positions, including Federal Minister for Education, Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education, and Defence Production.

Hailing from Mand village in Kech District, Balochistan, she began her activism in 1982 by establishing the first girls’ school in the remotest part of Balochistan with her father’s support. The school, now a Higher Secondary School, continues to provide quality education to hundreds of Baloch children.

Her political career started in 1999 as Federal Minister for Education. In 2002, she became the first Baloch woman to win a National Assembly seat. She worked to make Pakistan’s education system more inclusive and updated the curriculum to support girls’ education. As Federal Minister for Women Development, she played a pivotal role in getting honour killings declared as murder and establishing the National Commission on the Status of Women.

In 2004, she became Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, creating the first Social Protection strategy and the National Plan of Action for Special Education. She continued her political career as a Member of the National Assembly from 2008 to 2013 and again in 2018, when she was appointed Federal Minister for Defence Production. During her tenure, she introduced significant reforms, including the establishment of the Gwadar Shipyard and the production of indigenous ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zobaida Jalal has received numerous national and international awards for her contributions to education and social activism, making her a prominent figure in both local and international circles.