Karishma Ali

Focus Areas

Karishma Ali is a footballer and social entrepreneur from Chitral, Pakistan. Ali is driven by her passion to break down gender barriers through the power of sports. In 2016, she represented Pakistan at the International Jubilee Games, and the following year, she joined the first Pakistani female team to participate in the AFL International Club in Melbourne. In 2018, Ali founded the Chitral Women’s Sports Club, which is now known as the Karishma Ali Foundation. The foundation aims to provide a secure and nurturing environment for young girls in remote regions of Pakistan to engage in various sports activities, opening up more opportunities for them to play sports.

Ali’s exceptional work in empowering women in sports has garnered her numerous accolades. In 2019, she was recognized in the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list. The same year, she was appointed as a member of Pakistan’s first national youth council. In 2022, Karishma was honored as part of the Pride of Pakistan initiative, which celebrates individuals who have achieved excellence in their respective fields. Currently, she serves as a member of UN Women 30for2030, contributing to the global mission of advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.