The reports of Pakistani Football Star Shahlyla Baloch’s death took over the media yesterday. She passed away as a result of a car crash in Karachi on Wednesday night. Many have marked the tragic incident as a great loss for Pakistan’s Women Football Team which is just 6 years old right now.  She played as a forward for both Balochistan United and Pakistan’s National Football team.

Shahlyla who was born in March 12, 1996 was the daughter of Senator Rubina Irfan (also Chairperson of the Pakistan Football Federation Women’s Wing) and the sister of Raheela Zarmeen (Balochistan United and National team manager).

During her football career, young Shahlyla Baloch thrice received the best player award by a youth magazine. She was also the recipient of FIFA’s Youngest Player Award.

Tariq Lutfi, the coach of the Women’s National Football Team, described her as the best female football player Pakistan had produced.

Her role in helping women’s football to gain momentum in the country is recognized widely. Being the first ever Pakistani woman to score a hatrick abroad during her stint in Maldives, she brought great pride to the nation. She is remembered as the one who made the score sheet in Pakistan’s 4-1 victory over Bhutan in 2014 South Asian Football Federations  Women’s Championship (SAFF).

People who knew her remember her as the most active and helpful member of the team.

Upon hearing the sad news of the young star’s demise, many prominent media, sports and political personalities took to social media to pay their condolences to the friends and family of the deceased.

She was an inspiration for many young women in the country and will always be remembered as an epitome of women empowerment in Pakistan.

May her soul rest in peace!