ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday said that the government is fully committed to empowering the youth, especially women by providing them with better facilities for education, training and latest technological tools so that they can help propel Pakistan on the path to economic progress. He was speaking at the ‘Khatun-e-Pakistan Awards’ ceremony on the occasion of the International
Women’s Day.
He congratulated the award winners and praised them for making the name of Pakistan prominent among the nations
efforts and significant contributions. He said that the government is making every effort to facilitate the female population of the country and protect their rights. International Women’s Day was celebrated all over the world to recognize the important role of women in society and Pakistan was not far behind others in providing rights and facilities to women, he added. He said Pakistan needs to make more political interventions and provide more resources and opportunities to women.
“We need to provide more opportunities and resources for women’s education and training.” He noted that women all over the world contribute to the progress and well-being of society, adding that there is a need to provide women with equal opportunities and a better workplace environment so that they can easily contribute to economic progress and development. He expressed hope that the provincial governments would continue the policy for women that had been introduced and implemented in the past. He pledged to make all resources available to women to equip themselves with the latest technological tools. “Women can help make Pakistan a great nation by utilizing all available resources,” he noted. Prime Minister Shehbaz recalled that their previous government passed the Women’s Inheritance Act, launched the Zewar e Taleem program to keep girls in schools by providing them with scholarships, adding that the program was
a great success and helped spread education. Similarly, Punjab Education Endowment Fund has distributed Rs 20 billion among brilliant students who have achieved distinction in their education, he said. He said that the government will now establish Pakistan Education Endowment Fund to support students who excel in their studies but have limited resources to continue. His previous government in Punjab also trained the youth through vocational programs in various fields in collaboration with the British Department for International Development, he recalled. “We need to advance these programs so that the nation can move forward and achieve prosperity.”
The Prime Minister said that the government will support students to get modern education in the fields of artificial intelligence, science and technology. The government was determined to support the youth by providing them with modern facilities as it was an investment for the nation, he noted. The Prime Minister said that Islam granted rights to women 14 centuries ago, adding that these rights were clearly laid down by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Holy Quran. He appreciated police officer ASP Shehr Bano Naqvi for becoming a symbol of courage and responsibility by rescuing a girl in a difficult situation. He said a cell would be set up at the highest level to protect women from harassment and violence.
