IN a world where viral fame often overshadows real achievement, the story of Aliya Soomro, a young girl from Lyari in Karachi`s old area, cut through the noise like a punch that landed squarely on the conscience of our nation. Draped in the green and white of Pakistan, with a boxing championship belt in hand and a fierce resolve in her eyes (image courtesy: social media), the young warrior has not only conquered opponents in the ring, but also the suffocating barriers imposed by society, poverty and official neglect.

Aliya`s most recent triumph came in Thailand where she delivered a knockout performance against a Thai opponent in the World Boxing Championship, making history for Pakistan in international women`s boxing. One fails to understand why her success failed to get prominence in mainstream media.

Aliya has, indeed, done what many of our policymakers, women rights activists and social crusaders have failed to do; uplift the image of Pakistan through grit, dedication and honour. And, yet, despite her shining victories, she has remained largely invisible in the national consciousness.

Aliya`s journey is more than a sports story; it is a testament to the undying spirit of resilience in the face of systemic indifference. Starting from humble beginnings, without sponsors, formal support and institutional backing, she rose through sheerperseverance.

While others chase fleeting attention through social media stunts or empty slogans, Aliya chose discipline, sacrifice, and dreams woven in sweat and bruises.

Her victory at the international level should have made headlines, warranted official receptions, and inspired massive public campaigns.

But her win has barely echoed beyond a few respectful whispers in some localcommunities and corners of social media.

This silence is not accidental; it is criminal.

It speaks volumes about the priorities of anation thatignoresits realheroes, especially when they emerge from the less privileged segments of society.

Lyari, a place that is often associated in mainstream media with violence and crime, has produced a champion of global stature, and yet those responsible for promoting sports, education and talent grooming have remained silent.

No representative from the federal sports ministry, no formal recognition from national sports boards, and no financial support was offered to Aliya or her family.

When will our ministries and federations step outside their plush offices and give deserving stars the recognition they have earned? Where are the state-sponsored training facilities, scholarships or endorsements for such athletes? Instead, we see attention andresources squandered on token programmes or political cronies who deliver nothing in return.

Aliya is now scheduled to fight her next bout against an Indian boxer in Dubai in August. That might attract some attention, but that will largely be about the Pakistan-India binary than Aliya. Let us also not forget the uncomfortable truth about selective activism.

Real empowerment lies in enabling girls to dream, compete and lead, not just in marching for abstract ideals. This girl from Lyari has achieved more in a boxing ring with her fists than many loud voices have done throughhashtags.

Aliya represents more than a single victory; she is a mirror reflecting our national failure to honour merit, nurture talent, and invest in the future.

Aliya`s clenched fist, raised in triumph, is also clenched against a system that failed her, but could not stop her. Her story must not fade into the background noise. It must be amplified until it reaches the corridors of power. Until then, let her courage shame our complacency and let her legacy ignite a fire in all of us.

Majid Burfat Karachi