Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri stresses “Purpose-Driven Leadership” at 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva
Independent Report
Geneva, October 20, 2025:
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Chairperson of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, addressed a panel discussion on “Transforming Leadership: Overcoming New Challenges to Gender Equality” during the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva.
Speaking to legislators from around the world, Senator Zehri emphasized the need to redefine leadership. She said,
“Leadership must be transformed from a symbol of power and privilege into a force of purpose and service — from dominance to dignity.”
Representing Pakistan’s Senate and her home province of Balochistan, she highlighted the empowerment of marginalized communities and the crucial role of women in nation-building.
“I come from a land often overlooked, yet it is a land of courage, resilience, and boundless strength. Whenever a woman from Balochistan chairs a committee, drafts a reform bill, or raises her voice for justice — she doesn’t just break a barrier, she makes history,” she remarked.
Senator Zehri cited her legislative achievements in human rights, including mental health reforms, stronger laws against gender-based violence, and comprehensive digital safety measures. She stressed, “Justice should not only be about punishment — it should be about humanity.”
She reaffirmed her commitment to bipartisan cooperation, public awareness, and institutional reforms, stating, “We have turned opposition into strength — by building alliances and standing tall for dignity.”
Reflecting on her work during the devastating 2022 floods in Balochistan, she said, “Leadership is not about power — it is about service. And when service is performed with compassion, it becomes the purest form of strength.”
Senator Zehri also noted her involvement with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, highlighting Pakistan’s active role in global human rights dialogues.
Concluding her address, she urged women leaders worldwide: “Let us lead not through power but through purpose, not with privilege but with compassion — and build a world where destiny is defined not by gender, but by courage.”
The 151st IPU Assembly in Geneva will continue until October 23, 2025, bringing together parliamentarians worldwide to discuss pressing global challenges and democratic priorities.
