In this latest series of articles, we publish interviews of women working as professionals or students in the technology sector. The objective is to highlight their work and contribution to the industry and the community.
In these interviews, you will find women working in technology to solve real-world problems, break stereotypes, and create the next big impact on the tech industry. This series of interviews shows that even with the lowest rate of women participation in the labor market in Pakistan, there are still many smart women who are creating and using technology to work wonders.
Today, we are featuring Sana Shaharyar. Read on to learn more about her work and get inspired.
1. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, your education, and your work.
My journey in tech started 10 years ago. As a daughter, my family wanted me to become a doctor, but in 2012, I chose IT and got a BS degree in it. From my first day at university, I worked hard to find opportunities. I did an internship at Nishat Group of Industries and volunteered with NGOs. I was lucky to get a job while still a student, so by the time I graduated, I already had two years of experience in the IT industry. My first official job was at Netsol Technologies as an Automation Engineer. Due to personal reasons, I left Netsol and took a big career shift by working as an on-air host at GNN News. Even then, I stayed connected to the IT field. When COVID-19 hit and everything moved online, I got the chance to join ClickChain. For the past three years, I’ve been working there as a product manager, and a year back, I got the AI product manager certificate.
Along with Technology, I love art. To follow my passion, I started a social media platform to teach women how to stay productive and find joy in small things. It became popular, and now people see me as an art therapist, helping them find peace and creativity. My journey reflects a blend of resilience, adaptability, and a love for technology and art.
I come from Bahawalpur, a city in southern Punjab. My journey began in this small city, and it has taught me an important lesson: if you truly want to achieve something in life, the size of your city or the reputation of your institute doesn’t matter. What matters is focusing on yourself, working hard, and believing in your potential. When you do that, amazing things can happen.
2. What are your future plans/aspirations? How will it impact the community/society/your team/your project?
I feel a deep sense of responsibility, as if it’s a debt I owe to the universe to give back everything it has blessed me with—whether through kindness, support, knowledge, love, or any other form. To do this, I’ve built a community of almost 50,000 people, and it’s growing every day. In this community, I share life tips, content to build a positive mindset, DIY projects to help with healing, lessons for inner peace, and ways to make the world a better place. In the future, I plan to raise awareness about mental health and teach stay-at-home moms who want to earn but can’t work due to family priorities. I believe that having a positive mindset can influence the people you work with. This approach not only helps my team succeed but also creates a supportive and thriving work environment. One of the products I’m currently working on is an app that will soon be launched in Pakistan, and I’m really excited about it. AI is everywhere, and I’m actively learning and exploring new initiatives in this fascinating field. Through my other ventures, I hope to see more empowered women and less stressed individuals. My goal is to inspire people, bring positive change, and help everyone live a better, more fulfilling life.
3. Please brag about your career accomplishments. What are the things you are proud of?
Finally, someone asked me to brag about myself—this is fun! Honestly, I’m really proud of how far I’ve come. From buying my DSLR with my own salary savings to being featured in the book, it’s been an incredible journey. I’ve always been known as a multitasker, exploring various interests over the years. Photography was one of them, and I still cherish winning first prize in a beauty contest—those were some amazing days.
Now, for my tech and professional milestones, I was a speaker at the Agile Conference 2024, which was a huge honor. I was also featured in Kenya’s Times Magazine as an exceptional woman who excelled in multiple roles simultaneously. Becoming a social media influencer in less than a year is another highlight of my journey. Recently, my story was included in the book “Women Who Lead” by Aneela Bukhari, a book published in 74 countries—a truly surreal moment for me.
And here I am, sharing my story in this interview, which feels like another achievement in my ever-evolving journey!
4. What has been your best education/career decision, and why?
Taking a break from my career was the hardest and the best decision I’ve made. As a career-oriented woman, it wasn’t easy to step away, but it helped me realize how important I am to my family and kids. That break taught me that while career opportunities can always be pursued if you have passion and knowledge, the time when your family and kids need you the most is irreplaceable. I’m grateful I chose to be there for them during that period, and it’s a decision I’ll always cherish.
5. What are the best lessons you’ve learned?
You are the one who creates the life you want—no one else will do it for you. Take charge of your own happiness and mistakes, and start owning who you are. This is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far. Consistency is the only way to move closer to your goals. I’ve realized how powerful visualization can be and how important it is to grow, even when it’s hard. Change can feel tough, and I’ve been through it, but every challenge and lesson has helped me become a better version of myself.
6. Which woman inspires you and why?
Every woman is incredible in her own unique way, and we all understand the challenges each of us faces. We share a common strength. Sometimes, I’m inspired by a homemaker and how effortlessly she manages her home and other times, I admire a woman in tech for how gracefully she’s built her career. But above all, my mom remains my constant source of inspiration.
7. Do you think Pakistan has changed as a society in terms of accepting career-oriented women? What needs to change to help more women come forward?
I feel that due to the generational gap, we millennial women face greater challenges in making society understand that if women work, household responsibilities should be shared. However, future generations, like Gen Z and Gen Alpha women, will face less stress in this regard as these ideas are becoming more widely accepted. If we talk about Pakistan, it has made progress in accepting career-oriented women. Unfortunately, still, several changes are needed. Families must play a supportive role, and workplaces should adopt inclusive policies, such as flexible hours, childcare support, and equal pay, to help women succeed professionally.
8. What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you?
The biggest challenge for the generation of women behind me is navigating the balance between career aspirations and personal life. There will be more societal pressure to become a working woman. Other than that, AI will change the world globally, so the next generation should start thinking about it.
9. What would it be if you could change one thing about the tech industry/business?
I hope stable organizations become more adaptable to new processes. I also wish I could break down hierarchies and make workplaces psychologically safe for everyone.
10. How can WomenInTechPK help you and other women?
It’s an amazing platform that connects tech women from around the world, allowing us to network, learn, and build communities together. It has given me the chance to be recognized, and I truly appreciate the great work being done. Keep it up!
You can follow Sana Shaharyar using her profile(s) below, and please do not hesitate to hire her for your next project.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanabaloch-product-manager/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozynest_by_sana/
