Haripur, Jan 28 — Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Rubina Khalid, on Tuesday visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Haripur, where BISP and the local business community agreed on measures to expand skills training, employment opportunities, and market access for women entrepreneurs.
Upon her arrival, Senator Rubina Khalid was received by CCI Haripur President Malik Umair Khalid, Executive Member Syed Ahmed Jan Sikandar, and other members of the chamber.
During the visit, the BISP chairperson reviewed a handicrafts exhibition organised by the chamber, where local women displayed garments and traditional hand-crafted products. She visited several stalls and appreciated the quality, creativity, and dedication reflected in the women’s work.
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Focus on skills, value addition, and global markets
Senator Rubina Khalid later addressed the Sanf-e-Ahan Conference at the chamber as chief guest. The conference focused on equipping women with modern technical skills and empowering them to meet economic challenges in line with international standards.
In her address, she highlighted the importance of value addition, noting that improved sizing, colour selection, packaging, and fair pricing could significantly enhance competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. She encouraged women to make effective use of smartphones, adopt modern techniques, and align their products with global market trends. She also suggested that the chamber organise regular training workshops to strengthen women’s professional capacities.
The BISP chairperson stressed that skilled women should receive fair compensation for their work and said the role of intermediaries in monopolising profits should be discouraged. She remarked that Pakistan must compete with regional economies, including India, across economic sectors.
Referring to the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, Senator Rubina Khalid said the initiative, guided by the principle “Skill is your asset,” aims to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among women through structured skills development.
Empowerment and regional development
She further highlighted BISP’s core philosophy of dignity, empowerment, and economic independence for women, urging participants to remain confident and resilient while drawing inspiration from the vision of Benazir Bhutto.
At the conclusion of the event, certificates were distributed among women handicraft producers and office bearers of the chamber. Senator Rubina Khalid also inaugurated the new building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Haripur and commended the local business community for its role in promoting economic growth and employment in the region.
The event was attended by Alaf Jan Afridi, Director General KP BISP, members of the Benazir Hunarmand Programme team, Pakistan Peoples Party Haripur President Jahanzeb Khan, and party office bearers from Mansehra and Abbottabad.
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