Ek Thi Marium

Growing up in Malir Cantonment, Karachi, Marium imagines a life among the clouds. The family backdrop anchors her ambition, signaling early resolve to push beyond the courtyard and wear the air force wings. Her dream begins shaping who she would become as she watches the skies from her hometown.

She spends a year at university pursuing engineering in order to fulfill her parents' dream. Despite the grueling life she anticipates as a cadet, she asks for permission to join the PAF. Her father initially worries, but his view softens as he recognizes her determination.

Marium passes the PAF written test and interview and awaits the final call. A neighbor’s remark about his son’s selection spurs her to hurry home and learn her own fate. When she cannot find her admission letter at first, the news arrives that she has been accepted, marking a new path forward.

Marium arrives at PAF Risalpur Academy for training and befriends her roommate Mahrukh. The cadet culture introduces tricks, tests, and early physical challenges, with grueling wake-ups and demanding routines. She pushes through self-doubt, buoyed by the belief that she is becoming an officer.

During a home visit for her sister's marriage, she learns that danger is never far from their line of work. A senior cadet's plane crashes during an operation, serving as a sobering reminder of the risks ahead. The moment hardens her resolve to persevere.

After rigorous training, tests, and flying missions, she passes with distinction and earns the rank of Flying Officer. The culmination comes when she flies solo for the first time, a milestone celebrated by fellow cadets with a traditional water welcome. The academy life marks her evolution from student to commissioned officer.

Back home on leave, a marriage proposal from Flight Engineer Qaiser shifts her personal future toward a blend of duty and partnership. After some initial reluctance, she agrees to meet him, and they become engaged, planning a life together despite distance. The engagement anchors a new chapter beyond the cadet and trainee years.

The couple maintains contact as Marium trains at PAF Base M.M. Alam in Mianwali and Qaiser operates from PAF Faisal Base in Karachi. Their plans survive the separation, illustrating the personal cost of a military career. Distance becomes a test of dedication as their shared dream endures.

On her first routine operational training mission, Marium boards an FT-7PG aircraft with Squadron Leader Saqib Abbasi. A mechanical failure forces an immediate eject, and the aircraft crashes near Kundian in the Mianwali District. Abbasi sustains minor injuries while Marium loses her life.

Marium succumbs to her injuries in a military hospital, leaving behind a trail of grief and a national moment of reflection. At only 23 years old, her death marks a stark reminder of the risks frontline aviators face. Her loss is mourned by her family, fellow cadets, and a grateful nation.

A casualty notification arrives for her mother, accompanied by Marium’s cap and Pakistan’s flag, signaling the heavy price paid in service. The family processes the devastating news while honoring her memory. The moment underscores the personal cost behind national pride in aviation.

Marium is honored with a guard of honour and a 19-gun salute in recognition of her courage. The government awards her the Tamgha-e-Basalat, accepted by her parents on her behalf. The awards cement her legacy as a trailblazer for women in aviation.