Vision, Ideology & Philosophy – Dr. Maryam Idrees

Politics, leadership, and service are not merely roles; they constitute a vocation and a profound responsibility. From the outset of Dr. Maryam Idrees’s journey, her purpose has been unequivocal: to dedicate her life to the empowerment of women, the advancement of youth, the protection of human rights, and the sustainable development of the nation. She firmly believes that true leadership is measured not by authority, but by the tangible impact one creates and the transformative change one brings to society.

Her political ideology is deeply anchored in the advancement of women, reflecting her conviction that no nation can achieve true progress unless its women are empowered and actively included in decision-making. Her vision extends beyond mere political participation; it seeks to reshape societal narratives and ensure that women occupy their rightful place at the centres of leadership and governance.

Through her observations, Dr. Maryam Idrees has recognized that educated women are often absent from political spaces, resulting in a critical void where policies are enacted while women’s voices remain unheard. Within the Legislative Assembly, discussions on human rights are often broad and general, rarely addressing the specific challenges faced by women issues such as maternal health, equal access to education, workplace rights, leadership opportunities, domestic violence, and political participation. While male politicians may act with good intentions, they cannot fully comprehend the lived experiences and nuanced realities of women in society.

This understanding became the foundation of her mission and ideology. Dr.Maryam Idrees entered politics not as a career choice, but as a dedicated commitment to give women the voice they deserve, to bring their issues to the forefront of legislative discourse, and to advocate for laws and systems that protect, empower, and uplift them. She holds that women’s empowerment is not merely a right; it is a vital responsibility that our nation owes to itself.

Her vision for women in AJK and Pakistan is comprehensive:

  • Equal access to education and scholarships.
  • Maternal and reproductive healthcare reforms.
  • Inclusion of women in policy-making positions.
  • Awareness campaigns on rights enshrined in our laws but rarely implemented.
  • Encouraging educated girls to join politics, because until educated women occupy those seats of power, their rights will remain marginalized.

The Energy and Future of Vision

No ideology is complete without addressing the youth, who constitute the builders of tomorrow. The young generation of Kashmir and Pakistan is endowed with immense potential but is often left without clear direction or opportunities to fully realize their capabilities. As a lecturer and mentor, Dr. Maryam Idrees has spent years closely working with students, observing firsthand their aspirations, challenges, and untapped energy. Her philosophy of youth empowerment rests on four fundamental pillars: education, skill development, self-reliance, and leadership.

She advocates for educational reforms that not only align with international standards but also remain relevant to the local economy and societal needs. Students should be equipped not only with theoretical knowledge but also with practical skills that enable self-dependence and innovation. Dr. Idrees strongly supports the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology, Biotechnology, and modern scientific disciplines into classrooms, ensuring that the youth of Kashmir and Pakistan remain competitive on a global scale.

Her vision encompasses universities and educational institutions where research, innovation, and entrepreneurship are central to the academic experience, rather than exceptional undertakings. She emphasizes the importance of training students in vocational skills, genetic sciences, placental studies, maternal healthcare solutions, robotics, IT systems, and green energy technologies. With such competencies, students will not only be able to compete globally but, more importantly, they will possess the tools to address and solve the pressing challenges of their own society.

At the core of her ideology is the transformation of youth from “job seekers” into “job creators” and from passive followers into visionary leaders. She perceives the young generation as the torchbearers of a new Kashmir—a society that stands independently, empowered, and prepared to contribute meaningfully to the world.

Education empowers minds, transforms lives, and builds nations

Education has always been at the heart of her ideology and vision for nation-building. From the very beginning of her academic and professional journey, she has believed that the true wealth of any nation is not only its natural resources, nor its political power, but the quality of education it provides to its people. Nations that have invested in knowledge, research, and innovation are the ones that now lead the world. Those that neglected their classrooms remain trapped in cycles of poverty, dependency, and stagnation. For her, education is not just a career path it is a lifelong mission, a philosophy, and an ideology of change. She chose to become a lecturer not for personal recognition, but because she sees the classroom as the seedbed of future leadership, innovation, and social transformation. When she stands before her students, she does not merely see faces waiting for degrees; She sees leaders in the making, thinkers who will shape society, innovators who will solve our challenges, and citizens who will carry forward the destiny of our nation. She firmly believes that the classroom is the battlefield where nations win or lose their future. If we educate our youth with vision, skills, and values, our nation will rise with dignity and self-reliance. But if we let our education system remain outdated, irrelevant, and disconnected from real life, we will continue to produce graduates who struggle for jobs, lack innovation, and fail to lead. Dr. Maryam Idrees’s ideology rests on the belief that education must be directly linked to nation building. It must create citizens who are:

  • Socially responsible and aware of their role in serving humanity.
  • Economically productive by mastering skills that match global and local market demands.
  • Politically conscious to defend democracy, justice, and human rights.
  • Ethically strong, guided by honesty, compassion, and service.

Beyond Degrees but Real Learning

Unfortunately, much of our education system focuses on rote memorization and degrees rather than skills, creativity, and critical thinking. This model has produced thousands of graduates, but many remain unemployed, frustrated, and directionless.

Her vision is to reform this outdated model. She wants to see universities become hubs of innovation, research, and entrepreneurship rather than mere degree factories. Students must not only learn theories but also apply them in real life. For example:

  • Business students should be encouraged to start real projects and companies.
  • IT students should be supported to create apps, AI models, and software solutions.
  • Medical and biology students should be encouraged to research placental studies, maternal health, and genetic sciences or other relevant topics that directly solve healthcare issues in our society.
  • Engineering students should be given resources to design renewable energy projects, robotics, and local industry solutions.

Education, in her vision, is about empowering minds, building skills, and shaping character.

Reforms for Quality Education

As both a lecturer and a policymaker, she advocates for bold and visionary reforms in education. Her ideology emphasizes that quality education is not a privilege but a fundamental right. The reforms she envisions include:

  1. Curriculum Modernization – Updating textbooks and syllabi to reflect modern knowledge, including AI, biotechnology, environmental sciences, genetic studies, and digital economy skills.
  2. Teacher Training & Development – A nation can only be as good as its teachers. We need continuous training, workshops, and global exposure for our lecturers and professors so that they can inspire, not just instruct.
  3. Research & Innovation Hubs – Universities should be places where new knowledge is created, not just repeated. Every university must have research labs, innovation centers, and collaboration programs with international institutions.
  4. Skill-Based Education – Degrees must be paired with vocational skills, entrepreneurship training, and digital literacy, so graduates can be self-dependent rather than waiting for government jobs.
  5. Accessibility & Scholarships – Education must not remain limited to the privileged. I believe in free or subsidized education for underprivileged students, special scholarships for women, and digital education platforms to reach every corner of AJK.
  6. Linking Education with Industry – Universities must work together with industries, businesses, hospitals, and government institutions so that graduates enter the market already prepared with practical experience.

Education as Empowerment for Women

One of the strongest pillars of her vision is women’s education. She believes that educating a woman means educating an entire family and, ultimately, an entire nation. When a woman is educated, she becomes more confident, more independent, and more capable of raising healthy, educated children. She believes that ideology, women’s education is not just about literacy it is about leadership, empowerment, and social change. As a woman, a lecturer, and a leader, I have always placed women’s health and rights at the centre of her mission. In our society, women often face barriers in healthcare, education, and decision-making. This inequality damages not only women but also the entire family and society.

This is why she strongly advocates for:

  • Equal access for girls in higher education.
  • Scholarships and mentorship programs for female students.
  • Leadership and entrepreneurship training for young women so they can play active roles in society.
  • Every woman has access to reproductive health facilities, safe childbirth, and prenatal care.
  • Women are encouraged and supported to pursue higher education and professional careers, balancing health, family, and ambition.
  • Violence against women is eradicated through strong laws, awareness programs, and community support.
  • She believes that empowered, healthy women create empowered, healthy nations.
  • International Workshops, Seminars and Conferences for educated women funded by the Government.

Self-Dependence

Another core principle of her philosophy is self-reliance through education. Too often, our youth graduate with degrees but remain dependent on government jobs or foreign aid. This dependency is dangerous it keeps our people weak and our nation vulnerable.

She believes education should equip every student with the confidence and capacity to stand on their own feet. Whether it is through entrepreneurship, freelancing, small business creation, or innovative startups, our youth must be able to generate income and opportunities for themselves and others. Self-dependence is not just economic it is psychological and national. A self-dependent youth is more confident, more innovative, and more patriotic.

Key to National Progress

Education is not one sector among many it is the foundation of all national progress. Without quality education, we cannot achieve good healthcare, strong economy, effective governance, women empowerment, or scientific advancement. Education is not just part of her mission; it is her mission, ideology, vision, and her lifelong commitment.

Every reform she proposes for women, youth, or healthcare is ultimately connected to education.

  • Want better maternal health? Train doctors and researchers through better education.
  • Want empowered women? Provide them equal access to education.
  • Want an innovative economy? Reform universities into research and skill canters.
  • Want political awareness? Build critical thinking and civic education into our schools.

Healthcare and Human Rights

While education forms the foundation of her mission, healthcare and human rights form the soul of my broader vision. A nation cannot progress when its people are unwell, malnourished, or deprived of their basic dignity. No child can learn in school if he is hungry. No mother can nurture her children if she is denied healthcare. No society can rise if its citizens are stripped of justice, equality, and opportunity. She believes healthcare and human rights are not optional services of the state; they are fundamental responsibilities and sacred trusts. A nation that neglects the health of its people or compromises their rights is a nation that undermines its own survival. Health is the Cornerstone of National Progress. History has shown us that the most prosperous nations are those that invested in the health and well-being of their people. Without strong healthcare systems, countries face high mortality rates, economic decline, and social instability. She says that healthcare is not a privilege for the rich, but a right for every human being. Whether one lives in a city or a remote village, whether one is wealthy or poor, educated or uneducated every person deserves access to affordable, quality, and timely healthcare. She dreams of a system where no one has to sell their belongings for medical treatment, where no patient is refused at the door of a hospital, and where healthcare is a symbol of compassion, not commerce.

In her vision, a strong healthcare system means:

  • Hospitals and clinics that are accessible to every citizen, even in rural and marginalized areas.
  • Awareness campaigns break the silence around women’s health issues like breast cancer, cervical cancer, and maternal mortality.
  • Maternal and child healthcare initiatives to ensure that no mother loses her life while giving birth, and no child is deprived of proper nutrition.
  • Mental health facilities and awareness, breaking the stigma around depression, anxiety, and stress, which are silently destroying many lives.
  • Affordable medicines, modern equipment, and trained professionals in every hospital.

Human Rights – The Foundation of Justice

Dr. Maryam Idrees says that human rights are not slogans; they are the essence of justice, equality, and dignity. Without rights, people live in fear. Without justice, nations collapse. Without equality, societies break apart. Her vision for human rights includes:

  • Equal opportunities for women and men in education, employment, and leadership.
  • Protection of children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, ensuring their right to safety and growth.
  • Freedom of thought, expression, and belief, within the framework of respect and law.
  • Justice for marginalized groups, including the poor, minorities, and people with disabilities.
  • Right to dignity, meaning no citizen should suffer humiliation, discrimination, or exploitation.

 

According to her human rights as the moral compass of any nation. They define how civilized and just we are. In her ideology, a true democracy is not judged by the wealth of its leaders, but by how it treats its weakest citizens.

The Backbone of Our Nation

Youth are the lifeblood of any nation, the energy that drives innovation, the courage that defends ideals, and the creativity that shapes the future. However, the full potential of young people can only be realized when they are healthy, empowered, and aware of their rights. Without proper health, guidance, and protection, the dreams and talents of our youth remain unfulfilled, and the future of a nation is compromised. Her vision for youth is to create an environment where every young individual can grow physically, mentally, socially, and morally. She says that investment in youth health is investment in the nation’s future, because a strong body supports a strong mind, and both are essential for leadership and innovation. She believes that healthy bodies, informed minds, and protected rights are the pillars upon which strong citizens and future leaders are built. A healthy youth is a productive youth. Her broader vision includes: Access to sports facilities, gyms, and outdoor activity canters to encourage physical fitness. Programs promoting healthy lifestyles, nutrition awareness, and preventive healthcare. Special campaigns to combat drug abuse, obesity, and mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.

Mental Health and Guidance

The youth of today face unprecedented pressures from academics, social media, peer expectations, and the rapid pace of societal change, which can often lead to mental, emotional, and psychological challenges. Anxiety, stress, depression, and self-doubt are increasingly common among young people, yet mental health remains an under-addressed area in our education system and society at large. Recognizing this urgent need, she advocates for the establishment of dedicated counselling centers and mental health support services in schools, colleges, and universities, ensuring that students have access to professional guidance whenever they face challenges. Equally important is the provision of career guidance from an early stage, helping students identify their strengths, interests, and potential career paths, enabling them to make informed decisions about their futures with confidence and clarity. Beyond academics and career choices, youth must also be equipped with emotional intelligence, stress management, resilience-building, and coping strategies, through structured workshops, mentorship programs, and interactive sessions. These programs are designed to nurture emotionally stable, self-aware, and confident leaders who can navigate life’s challenges, make ethical decisions, and contribute meaningfully to society. She firmly believes that mentally empowered youth are not only resilient in the face of personal challenges but are also the true agents of societal change, capable of addressing community issues, innovating solutions, and leading with empathy, courage, and vision. By prioritizing mental health and holistic guidance, we can ensure that our young generation is not only academically capable but also psychologically strong, emotionally intelligent, and prepared to take on the responsibilities of shaping a prosperous and just nation. Dr. Maryam Idrees also says Youth must not only be educated and healthy, but they must also be active contributors to society. She believes that every young person is a leader in the making. Given proper health, rights, guidance, and opportunities, they can transform communities, shape policies, and inspire generations. Her vision emphasizes youth leadership programs to:

  • Develop critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
  • Encourage participation in community service, social initiatives, and local governance.
  • Instil a sense of responsibility, ethics, and social justice, so they lead with integrity and

Ideology in Action

When she talks about healthcare and human rights, it is not only theoretical; it is deeply personal. She has worked on projects for clean air, plantation drives, pollution reduction, and social awareness because I see these as healthcare issues as much as environmental ones. She has stood with students, women, and marginalized groups because she sees their empowerment as a fundamental human right.  She says rooted in the conviction that no society can rise without respecting the health, dignity, and equality of its people.