LONDON: Famend Pakistani actress Mahira Khan was honoured within the UK Parliament for her distinctive contributions to world cinema and her position as a cultural ambassador.
The award ceremony, held within the Home of Commons, was hosted by Member of Parliament of the UK Afzal Khan and supported by cross-party parliamentarians, recognising Khan’s influence on cultural trade and girls’s empowerment.
Mahira expressed gratitude for the help she has obtained all through her profession. Recalling her journey from Karachi to Hollywood, she stated She was the primary girl in her household to journey overseas alone, an expertise that she credited with serving to her develop independence and energy.
She praised her mother and father for placing their give attention to educating their kids with equal rights and equal love and at all times urging them to do effectively in life.
The star stated she doesn’t agree with the time period “self-made” as that will deny credit score to so many individuals who had helped her in life she stated crediting her household and mentors for shaping her path.
“My mother and father at all times believed in equal schooling. I bear in mind the individuals who impressed me in my life once I was rising up. They stated I can do it. There have been powerful instances however there have been folks round who celebrated my success and inspired me. I’ve stood on the shoulders of academics, administrators, followers and mentors who made all the pieces attainable.”
After receiving the award, Mahira spoke to the media about her dedication to ladies’s empowerment within the leisure business.
“I’m very comfortable at receiving the award as a result of this award is for ladies empowerment. Since I began to work, I’ve labored with the intention to open doorways for different ladies so that they don’t don’t face the sort of difficulties I’ve confronted,” she stated.
Reflecting on developments in Pakistan’s showbiz business, together with larger gender equality and pay parity, she expressed gratitude to her household and supporters for standing by her.
The occasion was attended by distinguished figures, together with Sarah Naeem, Excessive Commissioner, Atta Haq, Chairman of Labour Asians Society, Shafiq Shahzad, Commerce and Funding Minister, and Manish Tiwari, co-chair of Labour Asians Society, together with quite a few public figures and neighborhood leaders.
MP Afzal Khan recommended Mahira’s creative achievements, emphasising her position as a trailblazer for ladies. “Mahira Khan’s success story is an inspiration for younger ladies all over the world, exhibiting them that they’ll obtain their desires regardless of obstacles,” he remarked.
“She has damaged stereotypes, represented her nation on worldwide platforms, and demonstrated that dedication, resilience, and authenticity can result in exceptional achievements. As a task mannequin, she exemplifies the values of onerous work, humility, and integrity, and her affect extends far past the leisure business.”
Sarah applauded Mahira’s dedication to advocating for gender equality in a discipline the place such points persist. “In a discipline the place gender inequality stays a pervasive situation, she has constantly used her voice and platform to advocate for ladies’s rights and gender equality,” Sarah stated.
“Her advocacy goes past phrases, as she has taken lively steps to help ladies, encourage their empowerment, and spotlight the challenges they face. Her affect has inspired ladies not solely in Pakistan however all over the world to pursue their desires with braveness and conviction.”
Recognising her as the primary Pakistani actress to obtain such an honour within the British Parliament, Sarah described the award as a logo of world appreciation for Khan’s contributions.
Labour Asians Society’s Maria Saroya highlighted Khan’s efforts to advertise Pakistani tradition internationally. “Mahira Khan’s affect extends far past the display,” she stated.
“She has helped promote Pakistani tradition globally, difficult stereotypes and paving the way in which for a extra inclusive illustration of South Asian voices in media. By means of her performances and public appearances, Mahira has showcased the richness of Pakistani heritage and helped bridge cultural gaps, permitting folks worldwide to attach with the tales, traditions, and values of our area.”
Tiwari, co-chair of the Labour Asians Society, added that Mahira is an inspiration for ladies not solely in Pakistan however throughout South Asia, together with India and Afghanistan. He praised her advocacy for psychological well being and girls’s rights, underscoring her influence throughout borders.
Commerce Minister Shahzad celebrated Mahira’s success in movies like Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad and The Legend of Maula Jatt, in addition to her position as producer of the sports activities internet collection Baarwan Khiladi.
“She has performed an enormous position within the growth and success of the Pakistani cinema business in addition to Pakistan’s economic system. She is a real icon,” he stated.