Who is Kashish Chaudhary, the first Hindu woman to rise to the rank of Assistant Commissioner in Balochistan?
Kashish Chaudhary, a 25-year-old woman from Noshki, Balochistan, has become the first Hindu woman in the province to be appointed Assistant Commissioner. She passed the Balochistan Public Service Commission exam and pledged to serve women and minorities. Her success reflects a growing trend of Hindu women breaking into Pakistan's public services, including policing and the judiciary. Though challenges remain, particularly in Sindh, stories like hers offer a glimpse of change for the country's largest minority community.
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A father's pride
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Chief Minister's recognition
Part of a growing movement
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A push for education amid challenges
A community still pushing forward
At just 25 years old, she has made history in one of Pakistan's most underrepresented provinces. Kashish, who belongs to the Hindu minority and comes from the remote town of Noshki in Chagai district, successfully cleared the Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination—an achievement that's both personal and symbolic.On Monday, Kashish and her father Girdhari Lal travelled to Quetta to meet Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti. She shared her commitment to improving the lives of women and marginalised communities in the province.Lal, a mid-level trader, could not hide his emotion. '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 told PTI.He said that Kashish had always dreamt of studying and doing something 'for her women'.Her success stands out in a province where both gender and religious identity can present barriers to opportunity.Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti praised her efforts and the significance of her role.'Kashish is a symbol of pride for the nation and Balochistan,' he told PTI.He added that it was always a proud moment when individuals from minority communities reached key public positions through dedication and hard work.Kashish's story is not an isolated one. Across Pakistan, particularly in Sindh and now Balochistan, more Hindu women are entering public service. They are stepping into roles once considered beyond reach.In July 2022, Manesh Ropeta made headlines when she became the first Hindu woman to be appointed as a Superintendent of Police in Karachi. She continues to serve in the city today.Pushpa Kumari Kohli, a 35-year-old sub-inspector in the Karachi police force and a member of a scheduled caste, also passed the Sindh Public Services Examination 'I also passed the Sindh police Public Services Examination. There are many more Hindu girls out there waiting to educate themselves and become something,' Kohli said.Another example is Suman Pawan Bodani. She was first appointed as a civil judge in Shahdadkot in 2019 and is currently serving in Hyderabad.These women are becoming symbols of resilience in a system that has often left minority communities on the margins.While these individual stories offer hope, structural issues persist—especially in Sindh, where most of Pakistan's Hindus live.Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a politician from Sindh, sees a shift in how young Hindu girls are being encouraged to study.'Our young women are doing us proud. We have doctors, civil servants, police officers, etc in Sindh,' he said.But he also raised concerns about the region's long-standing problem of young Hindu girls being abducted and forcibly converted.'Despite being notorious for its problem of underage and young Hindu girls being abducted and converted by Muslim men, Sindh required more educational facilities for the Hindu community to counter such menaces,' Vankwani added.Education, he believes, is the most effective way forward.Hindus form Pakistan's largest minority. According to official figures, there are about 7.5 million Hindus in the country, but the community claims the number is closer to 9 million. Most live in Sindh, although smaller populations are spread across other provinces, including Balochistan.Kashish Chaudhary's journey—from a quiet town in Chagai to the halls of power in Quetta—is a milestone. But it is also a reminder that progress often starts with one person daring to imagine more.Her appointment may not erase the hurdles, but it gives many the hope to leap over them.(With inputs from PTI)
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