–PM Imran vows to ensure enabling environment for women
–COAS acknowledges contributions of women on duty, at home
–Shehbaz says women have come far, a lot needs to be accomplished
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, in a message on International Women’s Day, reiterated his government’s commitment to providing women with a safe and enabling environment that is conducive to their contribution in national progress.
He also paid tribute to Fatima Jinnah, one of the leaders of the Pakistan Movement.
He tweeted: “On Women’s Day, we pay tribute to Fatima Jinnah who stood steadfastly beside the Quaid in his struggle for Pakistan.”
“We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring women a secure and enabling environment to play their rightful role in our nation’s development,” the premier added.
On Women’s Day, we pay tribute to Fatima Jinnah who stood steadfastly beside the Quaid in his struggle for Pakistan. We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring women a secure & enabling environment to play their rightful role in our nation’s development. pic.twitter.com/tw71sDT1m0
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 8, 2019
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa lauded the contributions of women on duty, working the household and the ones whose loved ones were martyred.
“Contributions of women on duty in uniform, at household and especially the ones of martyrs’ families are greatly valued. The great Pakistani women have a role and responsibility towards [the] progress of Pakistan,” Maj General Asif Ghafoor, the director general of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army’s media wing, tweeted.
“Contributions of women on duty in uniform, at household and especially the ones of martyrs’ families are greatly valued. The great Pakistani women have a role and responsibility towards progress of Pakistan”, COAS.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) March 8, 2019
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif also took to Twitter to honour the day that celebrates the “incredible work our women are doing to strengthen their families, communities and the country”.
“The women of Pakistan have come a long way off but a lot needs to be accomplished and soon,” he added.
A day to celebrate and honour the incredible work our women are doing to strengthen their families, communities and the country. The women of Pakistan have come a long way off but a lot needs to be accomplished and soon. (1/2)
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 8, 2019
The former Punjab chief minister added that he was satisfied that “the government under Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) introduced massive reforms for women empowerment”. He reaffirmed his party’s commitment to the agenda for women empowerment that is “absolute” and asserted that they “will continue to uphold it”.
Satisfied that the government under the PML-N introduced massive reforms for women empowerment. Our commitment to the women empowerment agenda is absolute and will continue to uphold it. (2/2)
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 8, 2019
March 8 is recognised as the international day for women’s rights and their struggles. On this day, women from all walks from lives reclaim their right to public space through rallies, processions and commemorative ceremonies. Government and non-governmental functionaries hold seminars and discussions over the status of women in Pakistani society.
The second Aurat March is also due to take place today in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, Faisalabad and Peshawar.
