Marium Mukhtiar- First Shaheed Pakistani Fighter Pilot.

Marium Mukhtiar Shaikh was the daughter of Col. (Ret'd.) Dr. Mukhtiar Ahmed Shaikh, AMC, and her hometown was Pano Akil, Sindh, from a well-known Sindhi Shaikh family. She completed her intermediate from Army Public School and College (APSACS) Malir Cantt Karachi and played football for Balochistan United in the National Women Football Championship. Marium Mukhtiar graduated as a fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force in 2014, along with six other women in 132 GD course.She also took active participation in charity work. She was supporting a school for poor children who were unable to afford education.

Life in PAF 

Flying Officer Marium Mukhtiar was among small number of women to work as fighter pilots in Pakistan, and the first to sacrifice on operational service. She once said when on  her journey into a traditionally male-dominated world and desire to "do something different".  

Martyrdom 

Marium Mukhtiar was on a routine training mission when her plane met an "in-flight emergency" over Mianwali district, the air force said. On Tuesday 24 November 2015, Mariam Mukhtiar Shaikh and Squadron leader Saqib Abbasi were on their routine operational training mission when their plane FT-7PG crashed near Kundian, Punjab. Both occupants ejected from the cockpit and the plane crash landed. Saqib Abbasi suffered minor injuries in the accident, however Mukhtiar died of her injuries in a military hospital. Marium Mukhtiar ejected along with her co-pilot, but at too low an altitude, an air force spokesman said, she was losing height so when she ejected, she did not have appropriate height that is necessary for ejection. Her co-pilot, Squadron Leader Saqib Abbasi, survived with minor injuries, possibly because he managed to eject seconds earlier. Mukhtiar’s death was declared a martyrdom (or "shahadat") by the PAF, which said both pilots “handled the serious emergency with professionalism and courage and tried to save the ill-starred aircraft until the very last minute. Flying Officer Mukhtiar could save her life had she ejected herself before taking PAF FT-7PG out of crowded area but both pilots decided to take risk to keep flying the downing jet for taking the jet out of the densely populated area, especially saving a school. The delay in ejection caused martyrdom of Marium Mukhtar,” said PAF experienced and retired officers. 

Rest Place

Marium Mukhtiar is buried in Malir Cantonment Graveyard. While giving an interview to BBC that was aired on January 15, 2014 , Mariam said that she decided to become a fighter pilot for “doing something different”. Mariam,became the first lady pilot from PAF to attain martyrdom.. 

Award

The Pakistan Senate Standing Committee on Defence (SSCD) recommended Marium Mukhtiar for a state award. She has been awarded with the military award Tamgha-e-Basalat by the Government of Pakistan. 

Telefilm

Sanam Baloch as Marium Mukhtiar the 120-minute telefilm narrates the story of a spirited young woman whose struggles, diligence, unshaken faith and conviction made her the proud recipient of the Tamgha-e-Basalat (Medal of Good Conduct) post her martyrdom. Marium Mukhtar, while fighting stereotypes, made the courageous decision to become a GD fighter pilot for the Pakistan Air Force – a field presumed to be a man’s profession."Aik the Maryam" role played by Sanam Baloch.

Hope You will be proud of true face of Pakistan- Marium Mukhtiar. Thanks alot.