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Pakistan-born molecular biologist Asifa Akhtar among prestigious Leibniz Prize recipients

Pakistan-born molecular biologist Asifa Akhtar among prestigious Leibniz Prize recipients

The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize rewards a maximum of €2.5 million per award to its winners.
Updated 17 Dec, 2020

Acknowledged for her groundbreaking cell-biological work on the mechanisms of epigenetic gene regulation, Pakistan-born Asifa Akhtar has been selected as a recipient of Germany's Leibniz Prize — one of the most prestigious awards of the country.

Germany's Max Planc society — a fundamental research and science organization, where Akhtar is also serving as the first international female Vice President — shared the exciting news on their social media.

"Very excited that two Max Planc Press scientists are among the 2021 Leibniz Preis recipients: our Vice President Asifa Akthar, MPI of Immunobiology & Epigenetics and Volker Springel, MPI for Astrophysics. Congratulations!" they posted.

The Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, recognised as the most important research award in Germany, rewards a maximum of €2.5 million per award to its winners.

Launched under the Leibniz Programme established in 1985, it aims to improve the working conditions of outstanding researchers, expand their research opportunities, relieve them of administrative tasks, and help them employ particularly qualified early career researchers.

Born in Karachi, Akhtar obtained her doctorate at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London, UK, in 1997 before moving to Germany where she was a Postdoctoral fellow at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg and the Adolf-Butenandt-Institute in Munich from 1998 to 2001.

The scientist was also the recipient of the Feldberg Prize in 2017.

Recognised as Germany's most successful research organisation since its establishment in 1948, no fewer than 18 Nobel laureates have emerged from the ranks of its scientists, putting the Max Planc society on par with the best and most prestigious research institutions worldwide.

Comments

Aziza Dec 17, 2020 02:48pm
Congratulations for excellent work to Asifa Akhtar! Pakistan is proud of you!
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JustSaying Dec 17, 2020 02:57pm
They Shine in Foreign ( Western) countries.... Given the Platform....
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Laila Dec 17, 2020 02:58pm
So pleased. See? Girls can do anything they set their minds to. And Pakistani girls are known for their academic excellence. Girls should be supported in their academic aspirations and given access to education irrespective of social background.
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JustSaying Dec 17, 2020 03:01pm
And they say Women are given Highest Place and Honour and n their Societies..... ( They Shine Abroad...in Western Countries......)
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Zak Dec 17, 2020 03:07pm
Great achievement, congratulations. Pakistan talent is enormous in every field.
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Sharjeel Syed Dec 17, 2020 03:16pm
Proud of her. Well done Asifa. Also lets take this as an opportunity to remember Dr Afia !
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Kesar Dec 17, 2020 03:18pm
Pakistanis will be proud of her as long as she has the 'correct' religious credentials!
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Thinking Dec 17, 2020 03:23pm
Pakistan shines only because of their women acheivers
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Syed Dec 17, 2020 03:24pm
Excellent job, keep up the good work Asifa Akhtar Pakistan is proud of you!
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AJ Dec 17, 2020 03:44pm
Congradulations Dr Asifa Akhtar! We are proud of you as Pakistanis. You are a great source of inspiration for our young students pondering over their carriers today and tomorrow. Well done.
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HP Dec 17, 2020 03:48pm
Some positive international news mentioning Pakistan
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Junaid zubair Dec 17, 2020 03:58pm
Proud of u.Our star our future.proud of Pakistan.
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Sami khan Dec 17, 2020 03:59pm
Congratulations
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Junaid zubair Dec 17, 2020 04:00pm
CONGRTULATIONS.MANY MANY MORE TO COME WD BEST WISHES IN FUTURE
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Dr. Madhusudhan Reddy Tokala Dec 17, 2020 04:04pm
She is free from shackles of fundamentalism to give freedom of science and culture of humanity. Great to hear the voice of a new generation of scientists...
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Ali Mehdi Dec 17, 2020 04:11pm
Excellent. Asifa you’ve made us so proud of you. Big congrats to you. More n more success to you. You’re serving humanity. Sky is the limit. Good luck to you.
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Ibrahim S Dec 17, 2020 04:15pm
@Aziza we are just proud of them until they come and live among us , then our attitude changes towards them.
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kukkarsen Dec 17, 2020 04:22pm
She has converted to Christianity. Studied abroad.
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Laila Dec 17, 2020 04:22pm
@Sharjeel Syed yes and lets also remember how our then coward incompetent government handed Dr. Aafia over to the Americans on a silver platter. That's how we treat our women. Just so government could cover their own dirty hands.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 17, 2020 04:28pm
Yet another solid and tangible proof of the fertile land of four seasons and the productive soil of the 225 million talented, innovative, hardworking, brave, bold, blazing, brilliant and beautiful people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Well done, keep it up and hang on tough.
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Ali Dec 17, 2020 04:29pm
She should come back and serve her country.
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Riazullah Baig Dec 17, 2020 04:34pm
We are proud of you! Millions of (Be) Sharmeen Obaid Chenoy can't do together what you have done with your brilliance!
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TR Dec 17, 2020 04:41pm
Congratulations
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SR Dec 17, 2020 04:50pm
@JustSaying countries that were formed and nurtured with Christian values are always a great platform for all human beings .
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Shahzeb Dec 17, 2020 04:50pm
Sadly everyone leaves Pakistan and says goodbye to it. Don't expect them to come back!
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Aditya Dec 17, 2020 04:53pm
Now start making biological weapons for your motherland.
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Farooq Siddiqui Dec 17, 2020 04:56pm
Congratulations Dr Asifa Akhtar. Zara nam ho to yeh matti bari zarkhez hai saqi.
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Bilal-Melbourne Dec 17, 2020 04:57pm
Nothing special of her being born in Pakistan! What defines her success is her mind and her institutions. All Pakistani nation is in self deception. Self-pleasing deception. You stand nowhere in the world in intelligence and contribution to science
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kp Dec 17, 2020 05:01pm
Congratulations, Good she studied and lived abroad, Had it been Pakistan she would be denied basic education or maybe just some Madresaa education.
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Imtiaz Ali Khan Dec 17, 2020 05:07pm
Congrats! Carry the message of Dr Salam and help the youth of third world nations in sciences, the only way forward for humanity as we should all have equal love for all kids of the world. IndoPakBangla Blood Brothers 4 Life! #Palestine #Kashmir #Ahmadi #lgbt #minorities #blacklivesmatter #notoextremism #rssnazis #muslimjewbrothers
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Citizen Dec 17, 2020 05:08pm
Her achievement is despite the system in Pakistan not because of it.
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Ali Dec 17, 2020 05:14pm
congratulations! Making herself and Pakistan proud!
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Dec 17, 2020 05:23pm
Never mind the prize. Tell us who slept with?
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KannadaBoy Dec 17, 2020 05:27pm
Way to go, congratulations....show this to ppl like Shahid Afridi
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Ttr Dec 17, 2020 05:29pm
Pakistanis with brains can shine only outside their country.
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sourav ghosh Dec 17, 2020 05:36pm
Congratulations...Well done
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Falcon1 Dec 17, 2020 05:38pm
A Noble Prize is a distinct possibility. Congratulations!
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Rao Amjad Ali Dec 17, 2020 05:50pm
Congratulations on your outstanding achievement!
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Sakthi Dec 17, 2020 05:51pm
Congratulations from India.
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Tamilselvan Dec 17, 2020 05:54pm
Congratulation to her for winning the prestigious prize. We wish more females get empowered in Pakistan and we wish more youth work hard and turn the country from being an epicenter of terrorism to epicenter of technology . Good luck and best wishes
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Ashok Kumar Dec 17, 2020 06:14pm
Congratulations to Asifa! It’s a moment of pride for all Pakistanis. Scientific environment will get a boost and that is sure a sign of progress.
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Tejinderpal Singh Dec 17, 2020 06:16pm
The world needs more women role models, especially south Asian. One of the lucky one who got opportunities in the west, would have been just another statistic if she had been educated and stayed in Pakistan.
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Chirag Dec 17, 2020 06:19pm
Well done Asifa, Pakistan should look talent from minority too. Like other countries do.
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NYS Dec 17, 2020 06:34pm
Prodigy demsel that laurate in west patriotic adore!!!
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Idris Dec 17, 2020 06:41pm
Excellent All the young girls in Pakistan should take inspiration from her
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Sridhar Raghunath Rao Dec 17, 2020 06:45pm
I am particularly very happy that an young lady has accomplished this success and brought laurels to her country
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Dr Vikas Jamwal Dec 17, 2020 06:46pm
Had she ever been in Pakistan?
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Student Dec 17, 2020 06:48pm
Thanks to the country which provided her the opportunity.
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Ss Dec 17, 2020 06:56pm
Yeah earn more dollars for pakistan
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Pplaris Dec 17, 2020 07:01pm
Congratulations on winning one of the most prestigious awards in Germany. Keep up the good work.
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well-wisher Dec 17, 2020 07:05pm
Congrats to Asifa and Volker on receiving the awards. Keep doing good for humanity.
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Prof Dec 17, 2020 07:05pm
Good for mankind.
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Marquis de Sade Dec 17, 2020 07:10pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad: is that how you got your Doctorate (if you really have one)?
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Taha Dec 17, 2020 07:24pm
Congratulations on your effort and achievement. Greetings from Pakistan and Germany
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ABCD Dec 17, 2020 07:29pm
Is she Ahmedi or Christian?
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Anis Merchant Dec 17, 2020 07:35pm
Congratulations Asifa Akhtar for this award.
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Humza Dec 17, 2020 07:50pm
Pakistan has played 0% role in this. We love to highlight "Pakistani-born" people. Who in almost all cases live abroad, and in whose achievements Pakistan has played 0.00% role. Stop living in delusional dreams.
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Science Dec 17, 2020 07:50pm
Congratulations to her. In Pakistan people starts commenting on how a lady should dress, about open hair, hijab etc and at same time surprise how westerners doing excellent in science and technology.
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Nusrat Rizvi Dec 17, 2020 07:52pm
@Laila Except to have 4 husbands.
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Thunderbird Dec 17, 2020 07:53pm
@JustSaying get this message to your country where cruelty to women is well known all around the world. Stop deragotry remarks against Pakistan . Stop spreading hate , hateful BJP worker.
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Science Dec 17, 2020 07:54pm
Some people are from wonderland. They can talk religion even in scientific achievements. If you don't know which religion she is following then read the comment section, people have researched about her religion.
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Pakistani Dec 17, 2020 07:57pm
Proud of you. We need bright example like you for rest of Pakistan.
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LgbtqX Dec 17, 2020 08:04pm
@Thinking Men shines in another field, you know what.
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Mansoor K. Dec 17, 2020 08:09pm
Congrats Ms. Akhtar! You make Karachi and Pakistan extremely proud with your outstanding contributions to scientific research. Hope you can collaborate with someone at Karachi University and employ/mentor particularly qualified early career researchers. Goodspeed!
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Fast comment Dec 17, 2020 08:43pm
Asifa Akhtar a daughter of Karachi, pride of Pakistan got it. It proved how talented are Karachiiites, just abolish quota system, apply merits, and see the brilliance, out to serve Sindh in particular, and Pak in general. Congratulations.
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Syed Ali Dec 17, 2020 09:10pm
What is Pakistan's contribution in this achievement except she was born in Karachi.
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Javed Iqbal Dec 17, 2020 09:39pm
Thank you for informing readers the achievements of overseas Pakistanis. I will like The Dawn to show good journalism by telling us where did Asifa Akhtar grew up. Where did she receive her high school, undergraduate and graduate education. Thank you
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su Dec 17, 2020 09:52pm
Congratulations from across the border! I have respect for any scientist whose work will help humanity.
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Naeem Husain Dec 17, 2020 10:03pm
Excellent achievement! You made us proud and happy.. Keep up the great scientific work and motivate young Pakistan boys and girls to enter the scientific fields.
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Huda Dec 17, 2020 10:27pm
Congratulations
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Joe Dec 17, 2020 10:42pm
What does it mean? Given the right environment, Pakistanis can contribute to the world progress
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bhaRAT© Dec 17, 2020 10:44pm
Pakistan born but not educated so no surprises.
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Dr. Qureshi Dec 17, 2020 10:56pm
Pakistanis accel in scientific and technological fields in free societies of Western world. Pakistan is a repressive country where scientific knowledge is discouraged and even punished. Congratulations Dr. Asifa Akhtar for such a wonderful achievement.
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Chrís Dăn Dec 17, 2020 11:43pm
Heartfelt congrats to brilliant young lady.
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Chrís Dăn Dec 17, 2020 11:45pm
@Kesar why you condition her merit with religion???She has a pakistan ethnicity and it is enough for us to own her. You are just one and most probably not from Pakistan.
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Chrís Dăn Dec 17, 2020 11:52pm
@Humza India played ZERO role in Kamala Harris.so ?
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Chrís Dăn Dec 17, 2020 11:53pm
@Dr Vikas Jamwal Had Kamala ever been in India after once at age of 5?
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Shaukat Dec 18, 2020 12:24am
@Dr Vikas Jamwal , Yes, numerous times she was in Karachi during last Eid ul Fitr and attend her younger brother's wedding. She lives on the same street where my family lives.
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Syed Ali Dec 18, 2020 12:26am
@Sharjeel Syed What did Arifa accomplished?
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Syed Ali Dec 18, 2020 12:28am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Wow, the land of great politicians, Nawaz, and Zardaris,
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Syed Ali Dec 18, 2020 12:30am
@Ali In what capacity?
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Nazim Dec 18, 2020 12:41am
Another karachiite...living beyond quota system, achieving beyond imagination.
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AZAM AKBAR Dec 18, 2020 01:40am
Heartiest Congratulations.
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Haali Dec 18, 2020 01:51am
Please note she is German.
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Abdur R. Talukder Dec 18, 2020 02:07am
Congrats!
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Pops Dec 18, 2020 02:51am
The only contribution Pakistan made is giving birth to her. Education and other facilities were provided by western nations. I bet she doesn’t even hold a Pakistani passport/nationality.
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pa99 Dec 18, 2020 02:57am
Well done to the young lady. May you go onto bigger and better achievements.
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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA Dec 18, 2020 03:29am
Highly commendable performance. We feel proud of Asifa and trust me to achieve such a prestigious award is never easy but a result of untiring handwork. Patriotism is a commitment to what is best inside us all. And it's a recognition of that wondrous common essence in our greater surroundings -- our school, team, city, state, our immediate society -- often ultimately delineated by our ethnic roots and borders. We all feel an undeniable bond with the land where we were born. And yet, if we leave it for another, we grow to feel a similar bond, often of a more complex nature. Both are forms of patriotism -- the first, involuntary, by birth, the second by choice. Neither is less worthy than the other. But one is earned.
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Laila Dec 18, 2020 04:02am
@Javed Iqbal can't you look her up on LinkedIn?
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Ali Sabir Dec 18, 2020 05:06am
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was important because along with Sir Isaac Newton he was a co-inventor of calculus - and calculus became an important step in the Industrial Revolution.
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Ashutosh Dec 18, 2020 08:40am
She is not wearing Burqa?
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shamshad Dec 18, 2020 10:14am
Congratulation Asifa Akhtar for achieving it ,you are lucky you went Germany to achieved your aim ,where merit and hard are rewarded if you have stayed in Karachi your application would have been thrown in dust bin being Karachitte
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Hamed Dec 18, 2020 12:20pm
@Dr. Qureshi did you get your Dr. title in nonsense?
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Faraz Dec 18, 2020 01:04pm
She has Mongolian features, I wonder what's her ethnic background?
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Dr. Khan Dec 18, 2020 01:50pm
Bravo! Researcher par Excellence! P.S. Time to pay attention to rebooting public higher education! Allocate appropriate resources! Just changing format is not enough!
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Jay Dec 18, 2020 02:13pm
@Ashutosh Typical Inidian mindset!
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Ameen Dec 18, 2020 03:05pm
Thriving because she's abroad. Would have been forced into a marriage if had remained in Pakistan
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Naeem Qureshi Dec 19, 2020 12:03am
I hope she will inspire young Pakistanis girls to follow her example
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Laila Dec 20, 2020 05:30pm
@Riazullah Baig why must you pull down one woman in order to praise another? Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is successful and accomplished in her own field. She is acclaimed world wide and has 2 Oscars to her name to prove it. Denial of social issue will never be the solution.
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aatqa Dec 20, 2020 08:08pm
@Laila exactly
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aatqa Dec 20, 2020 08:08pm
fabulous work mashallah
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Hamed Dec 21, 2020 04:54pm
@kukkarsen what has that to do with religion or where she studied? Guess how many people in the west are dumb, liars, and cheats.
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