The Pakistani American Forum (PAF) was founded by Dr. Farhana Mohamed in 1993 as a non-profit corporation in California.  Since its inception PAF has been involved in sponsoring educational, social, cultural, and informational programs that positively project and foster better understanding of Pakistan to our American friends. The Merit Grants for Young Women (MGYW) was conceived in 2000 and incorporated into the goals of PAF as an addendum to the bylaws.

The MGYW’s vision of empowering women through education addresses the deplorable educational and social status of women in Pakistan. While the overall literacy rate in Pakistan has improved from 26.2% in 1981 to about 56% in 2010, the gap between male and female literacy has consistently widened.  In 1981, the gap was 19%, in 1998, 24%, in 2001, 29%, and in 2004 it slightly dropped to 25%.  Without the opportunity provided by MGYW of empowerment through education many of these poor girls would be prone to child abuse, forced marriage, exploitation as laborers, and beggary. According to our annual reports, MGYW’s strategy is working.  MGYW is not only increasing educational opportunities for qualified girls, it also enhancing the lifes of their families.

In 2003 PAF/MGYW was granted tax-exempt status by the IRS.  It has also opened up an office in Karachi along with voluntary representatives in various major cities in Pakistan.