Hailing from a small town in Malakand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, Almas Khanam Jan has come to the limelight for her stitched portraits on flour strainers - an art that has never been tried before.

Jan, who has made portraits of several renowned personalities, including former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai, and many others.

In recognition of her distinctive work, she was invited to the National Stadium Karachi on Wednesday where she and her art was introduced to the world, according to The Express Tribune.

“I have never attended any institute..I wanted to do something new and finally, I got the idea of portraying on flour strainers,” said Jan, who comes from a family of artists.

Jan said that it took almost 10 days to finish a single portrait on three feet long strainer. “It is not an easy task to perfectly portray with a cotton thread...It takes all my attention. It pains my eyes but I love this work,” said Jan, who was quoted by the newspaper.

She first started to use black and white threads, but in less than two years, she moved over to colours in her sketches.

Jan is a medical student but she wants to continue her career in arts.

She wants to set up her own studio where she can teach other girls. “I don’t think anyone in the world can do this fine work,” said Jan’s brother Kamran who is a sculptor.

He said it was a great moment for him as his sister was selected as one of the heroes of the PSL 6. “Hope this will open new doors of opportunities for my sister.”