Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that half of the Pakistan’s population consist of females, Pakistan cannot progress without empowering them and without providing them with equal opportunities for success. Punjab Government has done tremendous job and set an example in empowering women. Punjab Government has taken a lead in South Asia by issuing its first gender parity report and have worked tremendously for the betterment of females in accordance with the report. Punjab Government has excelled in empowering women by the formation of Women’s Ombudsperson, making woman empowered to get equal rights in property inheritance, increased the employment quota to 15 percent in government jobs and building the foundation of landmark laws regarding women’s empowerment. Punjab Educational Endowment Fund has rewarded 1.75 lakhs scholarships so far and majority number of rewarded students constitute of females, likewise 700 special desks have been formed for females in police stations. 1000 rupees monthly scholarship have been allocated to female students in Southern Punjab.
The Chief Minister has expressed the above views in the ceremony of issuance of Punjab Gender Parity Report 2017. Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafique Rijwana, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Ayesha Gosh Pasha, Hamida Wahidud Din, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Chairperson of Punjab Commission for women’s status Fauzia Waqar, Members of Parliament, Higher officials of Punjab, Related Secretaries, NGO representatives attended the ceremony. Shahbaz Sharif has appreciated the efforts of Chairperson and her team of Punjab Commission for the status of women in producing the second gender parity report and marked today as an important event. Further added that Pakistani women are intelligent and talented who have proven themselves in every field. The female students of universities and colleges have excelled a lot in education sector, so we need a realistic approach and a comprehensive road map to counter the challenges we have to face in gender parity and females have to play their effective role in its implantation. Moreover said that Punjab Government has done exemplary initiatives for the progress of woman and also formed effective laws for the protection of their rights. Though there were some hindrance in law formation while the issue was resolved in negotiation with the Islamic Scholars. A large number of students have been receiving scholarships under the umbrella of South Asia’s largest education fund and are also getting skilled education under the Punjab Skilled Development Program. Instead of spending money on constructions of buildings Punjab government with the help of companies related to skilled education are producing skilled workers according to the needs of market. Situation has been improved with the appointment of educated people and with the induction of female desks in police stations. Punjab Government has laid the foundations of universities for the quality education for females, government is also spending the funds of 6 billions in giving 1000 rupees monthly scholarships to the deserving females students in Southern Punjab. He added that this is not an expenditure on the government but an important investment by educating the daughters of our nation. We have expanded the circle of Prime Minister Health Insurance Program from four districts to the entire Punjab and districts in Southern Punjab will be more benefited. A large number of females will also avail the Prime Minister Health Insurance program. Clean Drinking Water program will also be initiated from Southern Punjab. This program will be started in 37 tehsils of 7 districts of Southern Punjab. Initially, we were taken aback from Clean Water Program. 80 millions rupees was saved in this project that was being endowed in corruption before. This reason delayed the entire program but we will pay for this loss with determination, hard work and strength. He also added that this nation came into being by the sacrifices of millions under the leadership of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah but the dream saw by Quaid and Iqbal is still incomplete. We should make this nation a true Islamic welfare state by implementing the ideologies of Founder of Pakistan. Females participated equally with males in independence of Pakistan. We should keep Quaid’s quote in mind and include females on the way of development and success. In rural areas females are working side by side with men while in cities our daughters earn higher education but doesn't come forward in professional fields. We should change the culture and thinking and include females in development of this country. We should also provide females with equal opportunities and paved their way to success. Issuance of Gender Parity Report 2016 is Punjab Government’s big achievement and we are trying to take better steps keeping this report in view. Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafique addressed the ceremony and stated that CM Punjab has taken massive steps for the welfare of females and also empowering them. Issuance Punjab Commission for the status of women and gender parityreport is another feather in Punjab’s Government Cap. Governor has also congratulated CM on holding successful event of PSL and declared the nation as united one. Provincial Minister Women Development Hameeda Wahidudin also highlighted the steps taken in empowering females in Gender Parity Report 2017. Punjab Commission of status of women chairperson Fauzia Waqar also addressed the ceremony and highlighted Gender Management Information System. Shehbaz Sharif also distributed the shields in the event.