Daily Times

Salmaan Taseer was a great human being. I was highly inspired by his humble personality when I got a chance to meet him twice in 2008. He visited Meerwala in 2008, immediately after taking oath as the Punjab governor. On his visit he declared me his daughter – like Shehrbano and appreciated our organisation’s efforts for the betterment of education and emancipation.

He shared his thoughts that education is one of the most important pillars for building up a nation and also emphasised on youth empowerment for the bright future of the country. While addressing a reception held at the Mukhtaran Mai Public Model School Meer Wala, he lauded my efforts and vowed to stand up for the oppressed. He also said that he would want his daughter, Shehrbano Taseer, to gain the same courage to stand up for her rights and that “Mukhtaran was a real source of inspiration for all the women”. I remember him saying, “Healthy socioeconomic changes in less-developed areas could come through the corridors of modern education.”

He invited me at his residence and held a detailed discussion regarding our organisation and its workings. We both shared our ideas. He was of the view that such organisations are necessary in remote areas, as lack of access to education and technology leads to a surge in criminal activities.

He also acknowledged Mukhtar Mai Women Foundation’s efforts for playing a role in women empowerment and girls’ rights to education, which is one of the major issues in rural areas. He personally donated Rs 500,000 for the school and expressed his views that education is a building block of the society and there is a lot more needed to be done in this regard.

It was a great pleasure to meet a person like Mr Salmaan Taseer and his generosity will always be remembered by us. He supported my organisation when it was young and fragile, and it is because of such strong headed personalities that people like me get confidence to fulfill our dreams.