Pakistan's first Sikh woman journalist nominated for UK award

PAKISTAN'S first Sikh female journalist has been nominated for a prestigious award in the UK.

Manmeet Kaur, 25, has been included among the 100 most influential Sikh personalities under 30 years of age around the world by the UK-based 'The Sikh Group', The Express Tribune reported on Saturday (15).

The Sikh Group is a global organisation which awards people belonging to the community from different parts of the world who serve the people in different ways.

Recognition is given to the special contributions made by Sikhs in the fields of business, sport, charity, media, entertainment, education, selfless voluntary service, lifetime achievement ,and the special recognition award, which is usually given to nominees from other faiths for promoting multiculturalism.

Kaur, a postgraduate in social sciences from Jinnah College for Women in Peshawar, is a social activist, too, and has received several local awards for highlighting issues faced by minorities and women.

"Those who work hard will reap the rewards and it is a great honour for my family to visit the UK and represent Pakistan," she told The Express Tribune.

Earlier in an interview, Kaur had said she was seen as an "intellectual face of the community" in Pakistan.

"There are several social and cultural issues, and being a journalist, I will be able to bring them forth, especially for the upliftment of the Sikh community," she added.

Kaur also hoped to emerge as a "role model" in Pakistan.

"Everyone should know women are equally talented as men and my present status will encourage several other community women," she said.