Khyber Pakhtunkwa, women parliamentarians at a seminar, stressed the need for provision of equal rights and due status to women in the society, saying women's role is vital in development and progress of the country. The seminar titled "Promoting Dialogue & Resolving Conflicts in Society" was held under the auspices of Women Media Centre (MWC) at the press club.
The keynote speakers included women parliamentarians from the ruling coalition government and opposition parties in Khyber-Pakhtunkwa assembly. Fozia Shaheen, executive director, in his welcome address explained the aim and objective of the organisation. She said that the basic objective is to improve the standard of journalism, freedom of expression, good governance, training, and challenges faced by female media persons in rural and conflict areas of the country.
About women rights in rural and conflict-hit areas, she said the basic women rights are lacking in the areas of the country, especially Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Fata. He stressed the need of extension of Political Parties' Act to tribal areas to provide all basic rights to women in the tribal areas.
Shazia Aurangzeb from PML-N called for provision of all basic rights to women, saying women have the potential to lead the world, but there is a need to provide them equal opportunities in the society. The state's prime responsibility is to take steps for women empowerment and development, but government has given least attention to the women issues, she maintained.
Shazia Tabbasum, of PPP, said government has exploited all resources for women empowerment and development in the country, saying it has launched different schemes to provide equal opportunities, like availing male in the society. She reiterated that the government is committed to address all issues confronting women in the province.
Shagufta Malik from ANP said that the women have played integral role despite unstable situation of Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Fata. She asked all political forces to join hand for resolving all key national issues confronting the country. She said that women are representing all parts of the life, and have a pivotal role in progress and development of the country.
Nighat Yaseem Orakzai, from PML-Q said that the credit goes to former Musharraf-led regime to give true representation to women in parliament. She said that women are playing essential role in all walks of life. However, she said that women are facing enormous difficulties in male-dominated society and called for taking tangible steps and adoption of viable strategy for redressing all issues confronting women.
Noor Saher, from PPP in her gushy speech said that education is imperative for resolution all conflicts faced by the country, particular insurgency hit Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Fata. She underscored the need of adoption of reconciliation policy and dialogue to sort out meaningful and peaceful solution of all outstanding problems. She said that the menace of terrorism and insurgency would be eliminated through collective and mutual efforts instead of dragging each other's feet.
Khyber Pakhtunkwa, Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain in his speech said the conflicts and crisis needs patience and sacrifices. He said that government had rendered all kind of sacrifices for restoration of everlasting peace at Pakhtun soil. He said the negotiation policy could be fruitful by taking all stakeholders on board, saying that the growing trust deficit between the US and Pakistan will regain terrorists' momentum in this part of the region. He asked the three major alliance states against terrorism, including Afghanistan, America and Pakistan to adopt joint strategy to root-out terrorism and restored sustainable peace. A large number of women and female media persons were present on the occasion.
Comments
Comments are closed.