Pakistan can only become a developed nation when women are encouraged to take part in economic activities and their skills properly utilized for the greater cause of national development: MPs

Mahnoor Ansar

ISLAMABAD: Noted woman entrepreneur Neelofar Khan has been elected as President of the Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI).

Rozina Lahooti has been elected as Senior Vice President, Shumaila Naz has been elected as Vice President at 11th Annual General Meeting.

The meeting was attended by a large number of businesswomen, former office-bearers and the newly-elected executive committee.

Chief Guest Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce, Industries and Production Ms Aliya Hamza, Senator Seemi Ezdi and MNA Dr Nausheen Hamid also participated in the event and took an oath from the newly-elected office-bearers.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Aliya Hamza, Seemi Ezdi and Dr Nausheen Hamid, founder president IWCCI Samina Fazil, Farida Rashid and others said that entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to empower women and the government is trying its best to provide maximum support to businesswoman.

They said that Pakistan can only become a developed nation when women are encouraged to take part in economic activities and their skills properly utilized for the greater cause of national development.

The speakers lauded the women empowerment initiatives by the government and stressed that more should be done for social and economic development of women which will benefit the entire population of the country.

The women leaders said that they will try to increase economic opportunities for women through different capacity building initiatives, while safeguarding their rights and uplifting their status in the society.

Samina Fazil paid tributes to the outgoing office-bearers of IWCCI and lauded their services and asked the newly-elected officials to try best to serve the women.

She said that gender equality is the key to progress as the majority of our population comprises of women but they are discouraged in some places.

The newly-elected office-bearers said that government departments and private sector institutions can play a positive role in strengthening women’s economic capacities which can guarantee accelerated social and economic growth of Pakistan.