Born in Multan, Pakistan, she was only 6 months old when she got polio, which left her legs paralyzed. Just like any other student, though, she worked her way all through school and university and was able to obtain a Master’s in Economics from Bahauddin Zakariya University. In 2007, she founded the Society for Special Persons to create opportunities for people with disabilities. She provided customized wheelchairs, training workshops, and awareness campaigns. Beyond this provision, she started advocacy work. Zahida launched the Accessible Pakistan Campaign in 2011 and worked to make public institutions more disability-friendly by installing ramps at hospitals and universities. As an advisor to the Punjab government on disability inclusion policies, she has influenced public infrastructure processes. She believes that people with disabilities should be at the forefront of their movement and should try to create opportunities for themselves in different sectors.

key achievements

• Featured internationally by The Guardian as a transformative leader in disability inclusion in Pakistan
• Fatima Jinnah Woman of the Year Award, Presidential recognition

Area of focus

• Wheelchair accessibility & assistive device production
• Inclusive education and inclusive infrastructure advocacy
• Leadership development for women with disabilities
• Data-driven policy influence through surveys and government partnerships