More than 50 percent population of Pakistan comprises women and their empowerment and display of their talent and abilities in the practical field is imperative for the progress and prosperity of the country, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while presiding over a meeting of provincial cabinet on Wednesday which reiterated the determination to defeat terrorists and extremists.
The cabinet also gave approval to various steps for the empowerment of women and protection of their rights as well as necessary legislation in this regard. Amendments in family laws to check exploitation of women besides their empowerment were also approved in the meeting. The cabinet also decided to enthusiastically observe World Women’s Day on March 8.
Moreover, setting up of Punjab Working Women Endowment Fund and establishment of family courts complex in each district were also approved. The meeting decided to give three year’s special relaxation to women in age limit for employment while it was also decided that only women will operate canteens in educational institutions for women. Similarly, all columns relating to the women rights in Nikkah Nama (marriage certificate) will have to be filled.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that the job quota for women has been increased from 5 to 15 percent while necessary legislation has also been made for ensuring share of women in inheritance. He said that the Punjab government is taking revolutionary measures for empowering women and protecting their rights.
TIME TO END TERRORISM: Referring to the tragic incidents of terrorism, Shahbaz said that innocent children were brutally martyred in Peshawar Army Public School while miscreants also shed the blood of innocent people in Shikarpur, Hayatabad and Lahore which is highly condemnable. He said that 16/12 has awakened the nation and 180 million people of Pakistan are fully united against terrorism. He said that victory is the only option in the war against terrorism and all energies will be utilised for making Pakistan a safe and peaceful country. He said that the government had set up a fully-trained Counter Terrorism Force (CTF) after two years of hard work and its first batch had passed out. He said that passing out parade of the second batch will be held in April while of the third batch in August. He said that CTF will play a vanguard role in the elimination of terrorism from the country.
He said that the government has taken immediate and effective measures regarding implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP). He said that in order to control terrorism, extremism and terrorism, necessary amendments have been made in the laws to make sentences more stringent while speedy measures are being taken for the implementation of NAP. He said that instructions have been issued to authorities concerned to ensure foolproof security of mosques, Imambarghs and worship places. He said that besides terrorists and extremists, their facilitators will also have to be eliminated.
The chief minister said that a consolidated intelligence system is of vital importance in the war against terrorism as it can help eliminate the scourge of terrorism. He said that CTF has got training from master trainers from abroad. He said that efforts will have to be made on war footing for elimination of terrorism.
SAFE CITY PROJECT TO BE EXTENDED: He said that the government is utilising modern technology for the elimination of terrorism and work is in progress on the Safe City Project. He said that this project will start from Lahore and its scope will be extended to Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur and other cities during the next three years. He said that this project is of vital importance for making cities safe and peaceful. He said that under this project modern technology will also be used for improving law and order. He said that sincere efforts and national spirit will have to be displayed for providing a peaceful and secure environment to the citizens. He said that though it is a big challenge but the government is determined to restore peace in the society. He said that Pakistan has the world’s best trained army which is capable of dealing with any challenge and the nation is proud of its armed forces. The meeting also gave approval to inclusion of the topics on tolerance, peace and brotherhood in the educational syllabus as well as to arrange essay writing and speech competitions in educational institutions.
CHINIOT-RAJWA MINERAL RESERVES A GREAT DISCOVERY: Referring to the discovery and certification of precious mineral reserves in Chiniot-Rajwa, the chief minister said that experts conducted drilling at ten places in an area of 24 square kilometres and besides iron reserves, copper deposits have also been discovered from all the sites. According to experts, he said, these precious reserves spread over an area of 2000 square kilometres. He said that the Chinese company and German consultants are working for making an estimate of these reserves and will soon complete their work. He said that survival and prosperity of Pakistan depends upon the best utilisation of these resources. He said that rulers of Punjab during the era of dictatorship, tried to commit the biggest dacoity of the history on these reserves but the present government has saved these treasures from corruption. He said that there is a need to work round the clock on this project and utilise these reserves for the progress and prosperity of the masses.
