PM efforts have restored the devastated economy.
ISLAMABAD: Samina Fazil, the founding president of the Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI), stated on Monday that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s relentless efforts have revitalized the country’s economy.
She highlighted that the Prime Minister has now initiated the process of national development with a special emphasis on empowering women, which is highly commendable.
Samina Fazil praised the Prime Minister’s endeavors to empower women, noting that this is essential for the swift development of the nation.Pakistan Economy – SBP reduced policy rate by 200bps.
Speaking at a meeting of businesswomen, she mentioned that the Prime Minister has decided to include women involved in cottage industries and small businesses in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector, which she described as a significant gift for female entrepreneurs.
She further stated that the Prime Minister recently underscored the importance of women’s economic empowerment and instructed relevant authorities to prioritize providing essential capital and facilities to businesswomen, a move she lauded.
“The Prime Minister has also introduced measures to offer affordable loans to women through the Youth Loan Scheme, enabling them to expand their businesses,” Samina Fazil added.
She said that the Prime Minister has ordered the establishment of support centers and training institutes to assist women engaged in small-scale businesses, ensuring their easy access to these resources.
The Prime Minister has also announced the creation of a special committee tasked with formulating a comprehensive strategy for empowering women. This committee will soon present its recommendations to the Prime Minister.
Samina Fazil emphasized that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif firmly believes that the empowerment of women can only be achieved through equal opportunities in education, skill development, and employment.
The Prime Minister is also working closely with provincial governments to enhance women’s involvement in economic programs and has announced the creation of a Working Women’s Endowment Fund to assist women in overcoming challenges.
Additionally, the Prime Minister aims to support working women by setting up daycare centers in public and private sectors across Islamabad and has plans to further expand these facilities.
Samina Fazil noted that many highly educated women in the country leave their professional careers due to difficulties in balancing work and family, resulting in a significant loss of skilled human resources.
She mentioned that last year, ministries and departments were tasked with ensuring the implementation of women-inclusive policies, which led to a notable increase in female representation on departmental boards, a positive step forward.
However, she pointed out that women’s representation in government bodies still falls short of the target 33 percent, stressing the need for greater inclusion in governance and policymaking.
Samina Fazil concluded by stating that if the government provides equal opportunities, 50 percent of the female population could contribute as productive workers, which would pave the way for Pakistan to become a developed nation.
