In partnership with
Profit
Sunday, 9 March, 2025 I 8 Ramazan, 1446
Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 243 I 8 Pages I Karachi Edition
PM PLEDGES ‘MISSION’ GENDER EQUALITY, WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT PREMIER SHEHBAZ UNVEILS GENDER PARITY g ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF REPORT HIGHLIGHTING KEY CHALLENGES ENDOWMENT FUND TO SUPPORT AND PROPOSES POLICY SOLUTIONS WORKING WOMEN
P
g
EMPHASIZES WOMEN CAN BE TURNED INTO A PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE IF PROVIDED A LEVEL-PLAYING FIELD
Senate passes resolution for ensuring women’s access to legal rights
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirming his commitment to gender equality said that women’s empowerment could only be achieved by providing them an equal access to education, skill development and employment opportunities. “It’s our mission and an unwavering commitment to ensure emancipation of the country’s female population,” he said in his address here at an event of International Women’s Day, marked globally on 8th March to celebrate the achievements of women and to make a call for their rights. Prominent women from diverse fields including cabinet members, legislators, entrepreneurs and activists joined the event at the Prime Minister’s House, which was organized by Ministry of Human Rights and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The prime minister, on the occasion, launched the capital’s first-ever Gender Parity Report prepared by NCSW and UNFPA, which identifies challenges and recommends solutions in key areas such as education, health, governance, political representation and justice.
g
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
PM Sharif said his government would collaborate with provinces for a collective action to promote women’s integration in programmes contributing to national economy. He announced to establish a Working Women’s Endowment Fund in a bid to support working women and help them compete with the contemporary challenges. He termed the PM’s Women Empowerment Package a “revolutionary step in eliminating discrimination against women” in areas of employment and for making special provisions to provide them facilities at par with men. “Our fifty percent women population can be turned into a productive workforce if
given a level-playing field,” he said. To facilitate working women, he highlighted that daycare centres were set up across public and private departments in Islamabad, with a plan to further expand the scope of facilities. The prime minister regretted that a large number of highly-qualified women in the country quit professional careers in their struggle to balance work and families, resulting in a huge loss of skilled human resource. “My message to the educated [women] segment is to come forward and join hospitals, banks and other professions of their expertise in order to positively contribute
The Senate on Saturday unanimously passed a resolution recommending the government takes accelerated measures to ensure and enhance women’s economic inclusion. The resolution moved by Senator Sherry Rehman, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, called for designing and building infrastructure that meets the needs of women by improving transport safety, workplace child facilities and access to digital and financial resources to support their economic participation. The resolution demanded that women should be provided with quality education and training by eliminating barriers to schooling and promoting literacy programs. The resolution stated that women should be involved in sustainable agriculture and food security by equipping them with technical training and ensuring land
towards national economy,” he said. PM Sharif paid tribute to the country’s women champions, who played a promi-
rights and access to agriculture financing to enhance their role in climate resilience and food sustainability. The resolution said it must be ensured that women have the right to make healthy choices and not forced to marry while they are underage. It stressed that women should be helped in making informed decisions about their health by reforming healthcare policies, ensuring access to reproductive health services and prioritizing mental and maternal healthcare. The resolution called for ensuring women’s access to legal rights and action against gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the workplace. It demanded elevating participation of women in sports by increasing investment in female athletes. The house also called upon all stakeholders including the government, civil society organizations and private sector to join hands in the collective pursuit of gender equality and women empowerment.
nent role in shaping the landscape of female empowerment.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
Pakistan fully endorses ‘Arab-Islamic China rolls over $2bn loan to plan’ for Gaza reconstruction: Dar Pakistan for one more year JEDDAH
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Saturday endorsed the Arab League’s proposal for reconstruction of wartorn Gaza under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority. Dar expressed the support while addressing the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah. He said Pakistan stands with the Palestinian people and fully supports the decisions of the Arab League. He emphasized that along with the reconstruction of Gaza, it is also essential for Israel to stop its ongoing atrocities against the Palestinians and
adhere to international laws. The OIC, in its Friday’s meeting, endorsed the Arab League counterproposal to US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to take over Gaza and displace its residents. The decision by the 57-member grouping came at an emergency meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, three days after the Arab League ratified the plan at a summit in Cairo. The Egyptian-crafted alternative to Trump’s widely condemned takeover proposes to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority. “The emergency ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation adopted the Egyptian plan, which has now be-
come an Arab-Islamic plan,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said, in comments echoed by his Sudanese counterpart. “It is certainly a very positive thing,” Abdelatty said. Trump triggered global outrage by suggesting the US “take over” Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, while forcing its Palestinian inhabitants to relocate to Egypt or Jordan. At Tuesday’s summit in Cairo, Arab leaders also announced a trust fund to pay for Gaza’s reconstruction and urged the international community to back it. “The next step is for the plan to become an international plan through adoption by the European Union and international parties such as Japan, Russia, China and others,” Abdelatty said.
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
China has extended the repayment period of a $2 billion loan to Pakistan by one year, offering crucial financial relief to the country, the finance ministry confirmed on Saturday. The loan was originally due for repayment on March 24, but China has agreed to defer it to support Pakistan’s economic stability and recovery efforts, the ministry said in a statement. “This extension will help Pakistan maintain its foreign exchange reserves and strengthen financial stability,” the statement added. China has been a key economic partner for Pakistan, providing finan-
cial assistance and investments, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative. The extension comes as Pakistan continues to navigate economic challenges, including a balance of payments crisis and ongoing talks with international lenders to secure further financial assistance. Officials say the loan deferment will ease immediate repayment pressures as the government focuses on stabilising the economy. Moreover, earlier this week, Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) officially initiated discussions for the first review of the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) secured last year. According to the Ministry of
Finance, the IMF delegation, led by Nathan Porter, met with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad. The meeting focused on the overall economic situation in the country. During the meeting, Pakistan has assured the global lender of its commitment to fiscal discipline and economic reforms as talks continue in Islamabad for the latest economic review. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb briefed the IMF delegation on the country’s macroeconomic situation, revenue collection, and progress on structural reforms. He reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to meeting the conditions of its $7 billion loan programme.