Pakistani novelist and youth advocate, Alishba Khan Barech, has been named the winner of the \u201cYoung Woman of the Year\u201d category at the prestigious Women Changing the World Awards 2025.
\nThe global ceremony was held at Park Hyatt London River Thames which was attended by international dignitaries, thought leaders, industry leaders, and guests from all over the world.
\nThe awards were presented by Princess Sarah Ferguson and globally celebrated humanitarian Dr. Tererai Trent, said a press release received here on Saturday.
\nBarech, the youngest self-published author from Pakistan and a native of Nushki, Balochistan, was earlier announced as one of 12 finalists in February 2025, selected from a remarkable pool of 751 nominations across more than 50 nations. Her selection was widely celebrated across Pakistan at the time, praised as a moment of national pride and a powerful message from Balochistan to the world.<\/p>\n
Barech triumphed among fellow finalists from India, Iran, Africa \u2014 standing as the only Pakistani and South Asian woman recognized in her category. Princess Sarah congratulated the winners and presented the awards.
\nThe Women Changing the World awards spearheaded by Dr. Trent, honour outstanding women making a meaningful impact across diverse fields including literature, education, advocacy, sustainability, leadership, and innovation. The awards aim to amplify women\u2019s voices and contributions worldwide and to \u201cawaken hearts and recapture dreams\u201d through collective empowerment.
\nAlishba\u2019s work has long centered on rewriting dominant narratives, particularly around Balochistan, a region associated with militancy and conflict. She is Pakistan\u2019s youngest novelist and memoirist, having written her debut novel at the age of 11, youngest memoirist at 14 and self-published author at 16.
\nHer activism spans work with UNICEF Pakistan as a youth ambassador for mental health and polio eradication, and she currently serves as a youth advisor to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and a member of the National Youth Council. She also serves as a youth ambassador for the cricket franchise Quetta Gladiators. She is also the first female Pashtun from Balochistan, South Asia to secure a merit scholarship to the John Locke Summer University.
\nA self-taught writer, Alishba began crafting full-length novels at just 11, far beyond the scope of her peers\u2019 school essays. Her passion for storytelling was shaped by her early interest in global affairs, further sharpened by growing up in Balochistan.
\nFollowing the announcement, Alishba said, \u201cAs I\u2019ve said before, my mission has always been to rewrite the narratives that define us. This award is dedicated with all my heart to my parents, my teachers, my beloved province Balochistan, and my country Pakistan. Yesterday, when my country\u2019s name was called among global achievers, it was more than a personal milestone \u2014 it was proof that stories of resilience and brilliance can rise from Nushki and Quetta, not just the headlines of conflict and militancy we\u2019ve grown used to. There is nothing more special than to bring a global award for your people.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistani novelist and youth advocate, Alishba Khan Barech, has been named the winner of the \u201cYoung Woman of the Year\u201d category at the prestigious Women Changing the World Awards 2025. The global ceremony was held at Park Hyatt London River Thames which was attended by international dignitaries, thought leaders, industry leaders, and guests from all […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":470682,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-470669","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n