Re: Pakistan’s first women fighter pilots
Over 3 years ago, a girl named Bisma Nasim was the one who moved all authorities over the country, including the then Air Chief ACM Mushaf Ali Mir along with General Pervez Musharraf, demanding induction of girls into the GDP branch of the PAF. Her passion for fighter flying was strong enough and she was heard in all quarters and eventually after many months of applications, letters, appeals and meetings and discussions at all levels, the decision was taken by the dynamic authorities and for the first time girls were inducted in both the GD(P) and Aeronautical Engineering branchces of the PAF in the 116th GD(P) and 62 Engineering Course at the Risalpur Academy and the second batch was inducted withe the 117th and 63rd courses respectively, six months later. But then after that eligibility for women was removed and remains such so far. Whether it will be introduced again is undecided. The first batch, the 116 will be passing out next year and the number of female aviation cadets is 10 from both courses combined. they have reached the first stage of becoming PAF pilots but many stages still remain. the one year of flight trainign left would determine a lot about their careers as aviators. Upon passing out, based on their aptituides and abilities the academy will decide who of them would be sent to the Fighter Conversion Unit in Mianwali and who to Chaklala for the Transport Conversion. That’s how it happens with every batch of pilots that passes out every six months.
Keeping in view the tough and demanding nature of this profession, there’s still a long way and many more tests to go for these women. Best luck to them.
There may be many social questions attached, leaving them aside for a while, let’s see what comes of it.
Bisma Nasim had tough luck and unfortunately didnt make it to the CFT, due to non 20/20 vision. She’s at the CAE doing well and proud wearing the blue shirt.
Luck to all!
:k: