Current status and a novel framework to attract Pakistani women in physics.

Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, with a population of over 180 million people. It is reported in the 1998 census the sex ratio (male per 100 female) is 108.5 and the literacy ratio (education of above 10 years) is 43.92%. Population under 15 years is 43.4% and between 15 and 65 years is 53.09%. Keeping in view the current reforms and vision of 'one nation - one vision' there is growing interest in developing programs to make Pakistan listed in top 25 economies by 2025. The social barriers faced by female scientists in their professional career are discussed in this paper. The opportunities for an exciting career in physics in particular for women are discussed. A degree in engineering physics as proposed in the paper could make the subject more attractive and may help in improving the position of Pakistan in the Global Innovation Index. This paper also presents the current status of women in physics and is aimed to attract women taking physics as a profession to bring innovation and thus promoting entrepreneurship in Pakistan to achieve the vision by 2025. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]