Muniba Mazari is lovingly referred to as the Iron Lady of Pakistan. And for all the right reasons.

 

Muniba Mazari aims to give her clients the best of her artistic abilities. She believes in playing with vibrant colors and flawless portrayal of true emotions. Her work speaks her heart out and is all about people, their expressions, dreams, and aspirations. She paints hope with colors.

 

Although wheelchair-bound, her spirit and artistry know no bounds. In fact, she takes the agony of spinal cord injury as a challenge and is more determined to express her sentiments through her artwork.

 

• A tragic Accident

At the age of 21, Muniba was left paralyzed from the hip down after surviving a tragic car accident. Her backbone was crushed and she sustained multiple fractures to her arm, shoulder, ribs, and collarbone. Doctors told her that she would be unable to walk, paint, or give birth; this left her devastated and questioning her existence in the world.

 

“…that day I decided that I’m going to live life for myself. I am not going to be that perfect person for someone. I am just going to take this moment and I will make it perfect for myself, that I’m going to fight my fears.” - Muniba Mazari

 

Nine years later, her inspirational story continues to touch people all over the world. Muniba was named one of BBC’s “100 Most Inspirational Women in 2015” and featured in Forbes’ “30 under 30” the following year.

 

“You know, when you end up being in the wheelchair, what’s the most painful thing. People think that they will not be accepted by the people because we in the world perfect people are imperfects. So I decided to appear more in public.”

 

• Making Sure to be Seen

Her presence in Pakistan continues to grow as she works as an anchor at Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). She has also worked on campaigns for Toni&Guy and refuses to portray herself as a victim of circumstance. A firm believer in ‘turning adversity into opportunity’, this 29-year-old has made it her mission to inspire the same in others.

 

Besides being an artist she is also a motivational speaker and an activist. She has given motivational talks on various platforms like TEDx, Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Youth Entrepreneur Organization (YEO), Global Leadership Conference (GLC) 2016, VCon Malaysia – 2017, VCon UAE – 2017, Leadership Summit Pakistan, etc.

 

She is Pakistan’s first Goodwill Ambassador to UNWomen Pakistan. She is one of the Forbes 30 under 30 for 2016 in the Media and Marketing Category and one of the BBC’s top 100 women for 2015. She is also a Television Host.

 

• An Inspiration or a Determined Spirit?

As Pakistan’s first wheelchair-using artist and first female Goodwill Ambassador, Muniba continues to model, speak and sing, proving that determination always trumps hardship.