Kashish Chaudhary, a 25-year-old Pakistani Hindu woman from the remote town of Noshki in Chagai district, has made history by becoming the first female from the Hindu minority community in Balochistan to be appointed as an Assistant Commissioner.
According to PTI, Kashish cleared the competitive Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination, earning a key administrative position in a province that has historically seen limited representation from women and minority communities.
On Monday, Kashish, accompanied by her father Girdhari Lal, met Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti in Quetta. During the meeting, she expressed her commitment to working for the empowerment of women and minorities and contributing to the development of the province.
According to PTI, Lal said that Kashish had always dreamed of pursuing education and serving women in her community. “It is a matter of great pride for me that my daughter has become an assistant commissioner due to her hard work and commitment,” He added.
Accorfing to PTI, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti praised her achievement, calling it a proud moment for both the province and the country. “Kashish is a symbol of pride for the nation and Balochistan,” he said.
In recent years, Hindu women in Pakistan have broken barriers in traditionally male-dominated professions. In July 2022, Manesh Ropeta became the first Hindu woman to be appointed as a Superintendent of Police in Karachi. Similarly, Pushpa Kumari Kohli, a police sub-inspector, and Suman Pawan Bodani, a civil judge in Hyderabad, have also made notable strides in public service.
Kohli noted that Hindu women have the ability and determination to reach leadership roles. “There are many more Hindu girls out there waiting to educate themselves and become something,” she said as cited by PTI.
Sindh-based politician Ramesh Kumar Vankwani echoed similar sentiments, crediting family support for the recent rise in educational achievements among Hindu girls. “Our young women are doing us proud. We have doctors, civil servants, police officers, etc., in Sindh,” he said.
He also highlighted the need for more educational facilities for the Hindu community, particularly in Sindh, where cases of underage Hindu girls being abducted and converted have been a longstanding concern.
Hindus form the largest minority community in Pakistan. While official estimates suggest there are around 7.5 million Hindus in the country, community sources estimate the number to be closer to 9 million. The majority of them reside in Sindh province.
