Ayesha Farooq is one of just five female fighter pilots in the Pakistani Air Force. In February, she became the first female pilot to pass the final tests to qualify for combat, and is now prepared to take on antiterror missions from Mushaf base in Punjab Province, east of Islamabad. There are about 4,000 women serving in Pakistan's armed forces, and an increasing number have signed up in recent years, although women are stilled banned from ground combat.
Pakistani only female war-ready fighter pilot

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Ayesha Farooq gives the thumb-up sign from the cockpit of a Chinese-made F-7PG fighter jet at Mushaf base in Sargodha

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A Chinese-made F-7PG fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force takes off from Mushaf base in Sargodha on June 7, 2013

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Ayesha Farooq smiles during an interview with Reuters at Mushaf base in Sargodha.

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Ayesha Farooq talks with squad leader Imran Khan after their briefing at Mushaf base in Sargodha