Nighat Dad, honored as TIME’s Next Generation Leader

Nighat Dad, Pakistan’s first digital rights activist joins the esteemed list of next generation leaders, issued by TIME’s magazine. The list comprises of only six bright young leaders who are innovating a change and inspiring others to follow their dreams.

Nighat started off as a criminal and family lawyer, but soon she identified a need of teaching thousands of Pakistanis about digital literacy. The goal was to make sure everyone can protect themselves from online harassment, especially women. Three years back, she set up the Digital Rights Foundation to launch campaigns against government surveillance and educate citizens how to respond to online harassment. Her foundation has also questioned the dispersal of personal information by telecom firms to domestic and foreign organizations. According to Nighat, she identifies the laws that contain provision about Internet space regulation in Pakistan and then informs people in layman’s term what the government is trying to do.

It is worth noting, being the next generation leader is no small feat. We are proud of Nighat Dad for painting a constructive picture of Pakistan.