Pakistani Tribal Man Defies Norms, Educates 13 Daughters to Master’s Level

In Pakistan's conservative northwestern Karak district, where education for women was once rare, Haq became a beacon of progressive thinking. In the 1970s, he took the bold step of sending his eldest daughter, Nighat Parveen, to school, defying deep-rooted societal norms.

Although Haq never attended formal college, the 82-year-old pursued private studies and earned postgraduate degrees in Arabic, Urdu literature, and Islamic studies. He remained committed to educating his 13 daughters and four sons despite facing criticism and threats from relatives.

Haq’s resolve was strengthened when Parveen excelled academically, achieving top positions in her 8th and 10th-grade exams. Her success reinforced his belief in the importance of education.

Parveen, who passed her matriculation in 1986, initially struggled with being the only girl in a class of boys. The psychological pressure was immense, but she persisted, motivated by her father’s vision. Today, she serves as the principal of Government Girls’ High School in Karak and is a role model for future generations.

All of Haq’s daughters now hold master’s degrees in fields like English Literature, Political Science, Botany, and Physics, and all are employed as government teachers. Haq views education as a powerful tool for women's empowerment and self-reliance, challenging the traditional mindset that educating daughters benefits only their future households.