Ek Thi Marium

Colonel Mukhtiar Ahmed Sheikh lives in Malir Cantonment, Karachi, with his wife Rehana Mukhtiar and their children Marium Mukhtar, Marvi Mukhtiar, and Shahrukh Mukhtar. The family backdrop sets the stage for a girl whose dreams stretch beyond the courtyard, as Marium grows up with a clear aim of donning the sky as a fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force.

From childhood, Marium dreamed of joining the Pakistan Air Force as a fighter pilot. She initially pursued engineering to fulfill her parents’ dream, spending a year at university before asking for permission to join. Her father, while wary of the grueling life of a cadet—especially for a girl—begins to see the strength of his daughter’s resolve and slowly opens the door to a future that once seemed improbable. After navigating the formalities, she passes the PAF written test and interview but must wait for the final call. Returning from university, a neighbor’s casual remark that his son has been selected spurs her onward; she hurries home to learn her own fate, and when she cannot locate her admission letter, disappointment flickers across her face, only to be replaced by a family celebration when the news finally arrives that she has been accepted.

Marium arrives at PAF Risalpur Academy for training and befriends her roommate Mahrukh. She and other new cadets endure the usual cadet culture, where seniors play tricks and tests, and the day begins with grueling physical training and a demanding five o’clock routine. Through early challenges and moments of self-doubt, she pushes forward, buoyed by the belief that she is shaping herself into a capable officer. During a home visit for her sister’s marriage, she learns that danger is never far from their line of work, as one of her seniors’ planes crashes during an operation—an sobering reminder of the hazards ahead. Despite the temptations to quit, she presses on, and after rigorous training, tests, and flying missions, she passes with distinction and earns the rank of flying officer. The moment of triumph arrives when she flies solo for the first time, a milestone celebrated by cadets throwing water over the newcomer in a traditional welcome.

Back at home on leave, a new path emerges when Flight Engineer Qaiser sends a marriage proposal. Marium, after some initial reluctance, agrees to meet him and ultimately becomes engaged, setting the stage for a life that blends duty with partnership. In the months that follow, the couple maintains contact as Marium trains at PAF Base M.M. Alam in Mianwali and Qaiser operates from PAF Faisal Base in Karachi, keeping their shared plans alive despite the distance.

Then comes the crucial test. On her first routine operational training mission, Marium boards an FT-7PG aircraft with Squadron Leader Saqib Abbasi. A mechanical failure unfolds mid-flight, forcing them to eject moments before the aircraft crashes near Kundian in the Mianwali District. Abbasi sustains minor injuries, but Marium succumbs to her injuries in a military hospital. At only 23 years old, she becomes the first female fighter pilot to die in the line of duty.

The country and her family respond with reverent acknowledgment. A casualty notification arrives for her mother, along with her cap and Pakistan’s flag, signaling the heavy price paid in service. Marium is later honored with a guard of honour and a 19-gun salute, and the government awards her the Tamgha-e-Basalat in recognition of her courage and sacrifice, an honor accepted by her parents on her behalf. Her story stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, the risks of frontline aviation, and a nation’s respect for those who push the boundaries in service of their country.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:46