A parliamentarian with deep roots in education, research, and social advocacy, Syeda Amnah Batool represents a new generation of policymakers shaped as much by academic rigour as by grassroots experience. A member of the National Assembly on a reserved seat for women from the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), she has spent over a decade working across youth-focused initiatives, public policy research, and social development. In this interview with Horizon, she reflects on her personal journey, her transition into politics, and her vision for education-led national progress.
Horizon: Tell us about your childhood and family background.
SAB: I grew up in what many would describe as an ordinary household, but it was one rich in ambition and a quiet belief that I could serve my country in meaningful ways. My father’s unwavering support and his vision for my future formed the foundation of this journey. While our circumstances were modest, the aspirations certainly were not. From an early age, I was raised with the determination to contribute to Pakistan beyond the confines of a classroom.
Horizon: What early experiences inspired you to become an education advocate and social worker?
SAB: My inspiration comes from a value-driven upbringing that instilled a strong sense of responsibility toward my community. This sense of duty was reinforced by my father, a respected religious scholar and philanthropist, whose life exemplified service.
Education advocacy became a clear path when I experienced the transformative power of opportunity firsthand. Receiving the Chief Minister’s Laptop was a defining moment — not because of the device itself, but because it symbolised trust in a student’s potential. That realisation shaped my belief that empowering students, especially from smaller towns, is one of the most effective forms of social work. This conviction ultimately led to the launch of my Street to School initiative, aimed at bridging opportunity gaps and restoring dignity through education.
Horizon: Tell us about the ‘Street to School’ initiative.
SAB: It began as a moral obligation to address the realities of vulnerable children. The mission is simple: bring children off the streets and into classrooms, restoring dignity and creating pathways out of poverty through education.
Horizon: Did you grow up with role models who shaped your values around education and social justice?
SAB: My earliest and most profound role model was my father, whose life taught me that service to others is the highest calling. Beyond my family, I was inspired by global figures such as Dr Muhammad Yunus, whose work in microfinance demonstrated how sustainable models can lift marginalised communities, and Kofi Annan, whose emphasis on education and peace broadened my understanding of systemic change.
On the national front, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been a defining influence. His discipline, tireless work ethic, and commitment to merit shaped my own approach to public service. I was also deeply influenced by the intellectual legacy of Dr Arfa 
Zehra and the education reform work of Baela Raza Jamil, both of whom reinforced my belief that education is central to social justice and national development.
Horizon: When did you decide to step into politics?
SAB: My transition into politics was gradual and purposeful. I believed that meaningful service required a platform capable of delivering systemic change. My academic training in public policy naturally inclined me toward legislation and governance.
I began my political journey in 2011 as a volunteer during the Chief Minister’s Laptop Scheme. It was my first exposure to youth-centred policymaking in action. Over time, I became involved in research, advocacy, and manifesto development, while also contributing to public discourse through writing. This long-standing engagement, grounded in policy work rather than ambition alone, laid the foundation for my role as a parliamentarian.
Horizon: How has your long association with PML-N shaped your political identity?
SAB: PML-N has been my political school. Over the years, it instilled in me discipline, teamwork, and an unshakeable belief in hard work and merit. The senior leadership’s consistent recognition of sincerity and dedication reinforced my own values. Today, I see myself not merely as a representative but as an active contributor to the party’s broader vision for national progress.
Horizon: What motivated you to pursue advanced studies in governance and public policy?
SAB: After completing my MPhil in Public Policy, I felt the need to deepen my understanding of Pakistan’s structural challenges. Academic rigour is essential for evidence-based policymaking, and my doctoral research strengthened my resolve to contribute meaningfully at the policy level.
Horizon: How did teaching influence your views on education policy?
SAB: Teaching reinforced the urgent need to bridge theory and practice. It showed me that education remains the most powerful tool for social mobility, and that policies must be practical, research-driven, and rooted in the realities students face.
Horizon: Your research focuses on child labour and sustainable development. How has this shaped your legislative priorities?
SAB: My research highlighted the direct link between child labour, educational access, and weak social protection systems. These findings anchor my legislative focus on child rights, education reform, and sustainable development policies that break cycles of poverty.
Horizon: How do you balance data-driven policymaking with social empathy?
SAB: Effective policy requires both. Data provides structure and accountability, while empathy ensures that dignity remains central. Initiatives like Street to School are driven by compassion but designed using evidence to ensure lasting impact.
Horizon: How has your background shaped your work in the National Assembly?
SAB: My approach is hands-on and outcomes-focused. Grassroots activism helps identify urgent needs, while academic training provides the framework for sustainable solutions. This combination guides my legislative work, particularly in youth development and social welfare, and aligns closely with national priorities under initiatives like the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.
Horizon: What does holding a reserved seat for women mean to you?
SAB: It is both an honour and a responsibility. Personally, it represents trust in the potential of Pakistani women. Politically, it ensures that women’s and youth perspectives actively shape legislation and national vision.
When intentions are sincere, and purpose is rooted in service, destiny opens doors that once seemed out of reach
Horizon: What youth-centric reforms are you prioritising?
SAB: Equitable digital empowerment is central. Through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, we are expanding access to skills training, business loans, and digital platforms like the Digital Youth Hub. This ecosystem equips youth to compete globally and contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s economy.
Horizon: If you could change one thing about Pakistan’s education system overnight, what would it be?
SAB: I would guarantee universal, digitally enabled access to quality education. This is not a welfare expense but a strategic national investment, one that dismantles inequality, empowers girls, and accelerates economic and social progress.
Horizon: How do you unwind outside of public life?
SAB: My free time belongs to my family. As a mother of three, those moments keep me grounded and energised.
Horizon: How do you balance motherhood, academia, and politics?
SAB: For me, it’s about integration rather than balance. My children remind me daily why this work matters. Every policy decision is filtered through a simple question: will this build a better future for them, and for every child in Pakistan?
Horizon: Have you faced challenges because of your gender or background?
SAB: Early on, the challenge was proving that ambition was not misplaced. I overcame it by focusing on results, continuous learning, and sincerity. When intentions are genuine, the work speaks for itself.
Horizon: Do you have a guiding mantra?
SAB: “When intentions are sincere, and purpose is rooted in service, destiny opens doors that once seemed out of reach.”
Horizon: Your message to Pakistan’s youth and aspiring women leaders?
SAB: Dream big, invest in your education, and work relentlessly. Believe in merit and service. Challenges will come, but with sincerity and persistence, leadership becomes possible. The future belongs to those who turn admiration into action.
The writer is a digital media executive at the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.
