Pakistan’s Zile Huma Honoured Among “Kindness and Leadership: 50 Leading Lights of Asia Pacific”

Pakistan has earned a proud moment on the global stage as civil servant Ms. Zile Huma has been named among the “Kindness and Leadership: 50 Leading Lights of Asia Pacific” for 2025. The announcement was made on World Kindness Day, observed annually on November 13, by Women of the Future — an international platform dedicated to celebrating compassionate leadership across sectors.

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Representing Pakistan on the distinguished list, Ms. Huma belongs to the Information Group and brings over a decade of impactful public service. Her inclusion recognises not only her professional achievements but also her consistent commitment to empathy-driven leadership. In a region marked by complex social, environmental, and economic challenges, her work stands out as an example of how kindness and public policy can come together to create lasting change.

During her twelve-year career, she has contributed meaningfully to critical areas such as climate change, human rights, and higher education. Her policy efforts have supported vulnerable communities, uplifted public institutions, and advanced the national discourse on sustainable development. Her approach has earned widespread respect for its blend of professional excellence and humanitarian values.

Ms. Huma first gained international attention during the COVID-19 pandemic when she volunteered alongside students and researchers at the University of Oxford to develop the world’s first Oxford COVID-19 Tracker. The initiative was a key tool during the global crisis, helping governments and organisations make informed decisions. Her role in the development of this tracker highlighted her ability to mobilise knowledge, technology, and collaboration for the public good.

Her outstanding contributions have earned her several national and international awards, including the Climate Excellence Award 2025 and the Achievement Award 2025. Previously, she was honoured with the Integrity Icon Award 2021 for upholding ethical public service values, and the Agahi Award 2018 for excellence in public communication. She has also been shortlisted for major international recognitions such as the British Council UK Alumni Award 2024 and the UK Postgraduate Award 2020, underscoring the global impact of her work.

A Chevening Scholar and an alumna of the University of Oxford with a Master’s in Public Policy, Ms. Huma embodies a leadership style that champions both competence and compassion. Her academic journey and subsequent public service career reflect her belief that sustainable progress requires empathy, inclusivity, and the courage to reform systems from within.

The Kindness and Leadership: 50 Leading Lights campaign — launched in 2018 — aims to redefine traditional leadership norms by showcasing individuals who lead with humanity. The initiative challenges the stereotype that leadership is purely transactional or authority-driven. Instead, it celebrates leaders who prioritise collaboration, integrity, generosity, and emotional intelligence.

This year’s list highlights role models from across the Asia Pacific region who demonstrate that kindness is not a weakness but a strategic strength capable of transforming workplaces and societies. The campaign is supported by the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, the Financial Times, and Asia Square, further affirming its global relevance.

Ms. Huma’s recognition places Pakistan among countries championing a new generation of leaders who balance skill with empathy. Her work serves as a reminder that public service, when rooted in compassion, has the power to influence lives far beyond administrative boundaries.

As Pakistan celebrates her achievement, Ms. Huma continues to inspire a future where leadership is measured not only by impact, but by the kindness with which that impact is delivered.