30 percent representation of women mandatory in government corporations: minister

Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation and Finance, Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has said that at least 30 percent representation of women has been made compulsory in the boards of all government corporations, institutions and companies. Talking to party workers here on Thursday, he said new women universities have been established in Bahawalpur, Multan, Sialkot and Faisalabad for enhancing ratio of higher education among women.
He said that scholarships are being given to 50,000 students from Punjab Educational Endowment Fund and out of these 25,000 were females. Similarly, among those who benefited from laptop scheme during the last two years, 60 percent are females, he added. Small loans of Rs 4 billion have been given to 50 percent women and now they are earning their living honourably.
He said the government would ensure to protect women's rights as well as practical steps would be taken to stop the incidences of violence against women, whereas, relevant laws will be implemented strictly and new legislation will also be made in this regard if required.
Mujtaba said that interest-free loans worth Rs 5.5 billion have been distributed under Chief Minister's Self-Employment Scheme and 0.35 million families would benefit from this programme and further amount of six billion rupees would also be given during next five years for the provision of interest-free loans and two million families would benefit.
The minister said that ratio of repayment of loans under Chief Minister's Self-Employment Scheme is hundred percent. He said that various programmes are being implemented during the current year under Educational Endowment Fund, Punjab Education Foundation and Punjab Skills Development Programme for enhancing educational and professional abilities of women.
He said that financial grant is being provided for up-gradation of higher education. Women should come forward in practical field and government would provide even more resources than their population of 52 percent. He said Chief Minister's Self-Employment Scheme has changed the course of history and 3.5 lakh poor families have been made self-reliant through provision of interest-free loans transparently.