By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Martial Arts Association (PMAA) and International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations – Pakistan (IFMSA-Pakistan) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a national self-defense training program.
The partnership brings together the country’s leading martial arts organisation and its largest network of medical students to address the growing need for gender-based violence prevention, youth empowerment, and awareness on personal and legal safety. Through this collaboration, over 5,000 female students across Pakistan are expected to receive self-defense training by December 2025.
The MoU signing ceremony, marked the formal beginning of this transformative alliance. The event also featured the first training session, where more than 100 female students and young doctors participated in a hands-on workshop, learning essential life-saving techniques.
“This initiative goes beyond physical training,” said Master Anwar Mohiuddin, President of PMAA and Chief Trainer. “It’s about instilling confidence, awareness, and resilience in young women, empowering them to protect themselves and face the world with courage.”
Under the agreement, the two organisations will jointly conduct a series of workshops, safety awareness seminars, and leadership sessions in medical universities and colleges nationwide. The program aims to foster a culture of strength and self-reliance while raising awareness about legal rights and community health.
Seemab Mehmood, President of IFMSA-Pakistan, echoed the significance of the partnership. “Healthcare advocacy begins with personal safety,” she said. “Empowering female students with self-defense training not only safeguards their well-being but also prepares them to serve as stronger, more confident healthcare professionals.”
The initiative is seen as a powerful fusion of healthcare advocacy and practical martial arts training, bridging the gap between physical safety and mental preparedness. Observers have lauded the program for promoting a proactive approach to violence prevention, especially among vulnerable populations such as schoolgirls, university students, and early-career professionals.
The next workshop under the program is scheduled for May 27 at PIMS Hospital, targeting students of the Federal Medical and Dental College, Islamabad. Additional sessions are being planned in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, with further expansion into secondary cities envisioned in the coming months. The long-term goal is to make self-defense education accessible to students across all provinces of Pakistan.
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