Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday vowed to undertake every possible effort to ensure equal rights and opportunities to women, as civil and military leadership paid tributes to the women who played pivotal role in nation-building.
In a message on the eve of International Women's Day, the Prime Minister said that the observance of day was reiteration of the commitment to undertake every possible effort to ensure equal rights and opportunities to the women.
"In this effort, we are guided by the teachings of our religion, the Seerat of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the core values that distinguish our society," he said, adding that it was indeed encouraging to see that the Pakistani women were proving their mettle in every walk of life and achieving excellence in their respective fields at the national and international level.
The prime minister said that he firmly believes that inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development can only be ensured by providing equal opportunities and a favourable environment to the women.
"I reaffirm my pledge on this day to take all measures that would help our women to lead a safe, secure and prosperous life," Prime Minister Khan said.
Speaking at an event organised in connection with International Women's Day, President Dr Arif Alvi said that women are playing a key role in all walks of life, adding that the role of women for the next generation is undisputable.
He said provision of facilities to women at work place is very important in order to give them an opportunity to fully utilize their potential. He further said that number of female graduates and position holders in many academic disciplines in Pakistan is higher as compared to male.
He emphasised the need for creation of equal opportunities for the women in all fields of life. He said that financial inclusion of women is imperative for their empowerment in the society.
He underlined the need for making collective efforts to ensure women's inheritance rights, health, education, violence free environment and equal opportunities in every field.
He said that the inheritance rights of the women were flagrantly denied in the society due to prevalence of certain outdated cultural customs in different areas of the country.
The President pointed out that for the first time in the world's history, Islam in very clear terms ensured women's rights to inheritance which even did not find place in the West for long.
Referring to the government's Ehsas programme, he said the government is committed to ensure social and economic betterment of the women.
He also emphasized the need for creation of spaces for mothers at the workplaces to properly look after their nascent babies, adding that women in the country are confronted with serious health issues of malnutrition and stress, leading to child stunting and the overall health of a family.
Meanwhile, Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa also paid tribute to the women of Pakistan who played a pivotal role in nation building in all segments of the society.
"Our brave mothers, sisters, daughters, especially our martyrs' families and those serving in armed forces are pride of our nation," the Army Chief was quoted in a tweet shared by the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also paid tribute to the womenfolk of the country who have been playing different roles for the progress and development of Pakistan.
In a message on the International Women's Day, he said their valuable services in different sectors should be acknowledged.
Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, while paying tributes to the women, referred to plight of Kashmiri women who have suffered Indian atrocities since 1989.
"We pay special tribute to all the Kashmiri women who have suffered Indian atrocities since 1989: 22,911 women widowed, 11,179 women molested and raped, 2377 women killed, Women leaders Asiya Andrabi, Nahida Nasreen, Fahmida Sofi and many others remain incarcerated," she stated in a tweet.
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