The Green Illusion

Jalila H is Pakistan’s first Hazara female human rights lawyer and a prominent political and social activist from Quetta, Balochistan. Known as the “Iron Lady of Balochistan,” she has emerged as a fearless voice for marginalized communities, especially the persecuted Hazara Shia minority, advocating for justice, peace, and women’s rights in a region plagued by sectarian violence and systemic discrimination. She gained international recognition for her courage and leadership in human rights, receiving the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. Department of State in 2020. In 2019, she was named among the BBC’s 100 Most Influential and Inspiring Women in the world. Within Pakistan, she received the HUM TV Women Leaders Award in 2020, the National Peace Award in 2022, and the Global Justitia Award in 2023.

To economically empower women affected by terrorism, especially Hazara widows, Jalila launched Craft Surprise, a start-up supporting them by marketing their handcrafted goods. The initiative restores both income and dignity to women who have suffered unimaginable loss. She remains a symbol of resistance, resilience, and hope for all those in Pakistan who believe in equality, justice, and human dignity. It revives the traditional, indigenous art of rug weaving not only as a means of livelihood but also as a form of collective healing and storytelling.