“I was born and raised in Rawalpindi and I am my parents’ only child. My father passed away when I was young and my mother had to work hard to bring me up. She has been selling embroidery work and handicrafts for 20 years. She makes excellent dolls and use to teach me how to sew and make embroidery every day after school.

My mother had to start very small scale. She was once sent abroad by the government for an exhibition, but she could not establish a business there as she does not have a formal education.

After I graduated from the Allama Iqbal Open University, I focused more on my embroidery and on how to make an income out of it.. A shop owner bought our work at a whole sale rate and even then, has not yet paid us in full and we do not even have events or shows where we can put our work on display.

I am focusing more on miniature art and making small toys and dolls, which is more difficult.

I request the government to give us a proper and permanent place to display our work and establish a business.”

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2017