KHUZDAR: The journey from a modest farming household in Khuzdar to a high-end apartment in New York has drawn attention to Naeema Zehri, once known as a promising student activist and now a vocal critic of Pakistan on international platforms.
In this regard, this credible information, reviewed by Balochistan Insight through field sources and internal notes, Zehri was born into a poor farming family on the outskirts of Khuzdar.
In addition, her father worked the fields, and she grew up with six siblings. Two of her maternal uncles were reportedly killed during security operations against the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), leaving the family under both financial strain and social pressure.
Furthermore, it is an effort to support talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the government introduced a scholarship scheme. Zehri was among the recipients, indicating the beginning of a new chapter.
During her studies, she became associated with rights activist Mahrang Baloch, and together they began organizing rallies, delivering speeches, and using social media to mention Baloch rights.
خضدار کے غریب گھرانے سے امریکہ کے شاندار اپارٹمنٹ تک
یہ رپورٹ بلوچستان انسائیٹ کے خفیہ نوٹس اور فیلڈ سورسز کی بنیاد پر تیار کی گئی ہے۔ نعیمہ زہری ایک کسان گھر کی بیٹی تھی۔ دو ماموں بی ایل اے آپریشن میں مارے گئے۔ ریاست نے اسے اسکالر شپ دی۔ اس نے ماہرنگ بلوچ کے ساتھ مل کر حقوق کی… pic.twitter.com/kKkCIKOatL
— Balochistan Insight (@BalochInsight) October 4, 2025
Moreover, the state saw education as a way to bridge divides, several sources suggest that Zehri’s views became more rigid over time.
She later received foreign intelligence funding to attend an international conference abroad, where she was presented by sections of the media as a progressive Baloch student leader. Soon after, she announced that she had been offered further opportunities overseas.
In this sense, Zehri quietly relocated to the United States. The records indicate she acquired an apartment in New York valued at several hundred thousand dollars, an amount far beyond the means of her farming family.
Additionally, the investigations by Balochistan Insight suggest that international NGOs may have supported her through grants, though the details remain undisclosed.
Meanwhile, her two brothers secured senior government positions in Balochistan, a coincidence that has prompted further speculation.
Zehri has since emerged as a vocal figure on social media, sharply criticizing Pakistan’s policies in Balochistan.
However, questions about the sources of her financial stability remain unanswered.
Also Read: Mahrang Baloch, BYC exposed again as shield for terror networks
So far, the trajectory indicates a broader debate within Baloch society: whether activism is being driven by genuine rights advocacy or by personal advancement. For many young people in Balochistan, Zehri’s story illustrates both the opportunities and contradictions in the struggle between ideology, power, and personal success.
