Women empowerment initiatives in Punjab budget lauded

Lahore: Chairman of the United International Group Mian Shahid has lauded the women empowerment initiatives in the Rs Rs1.447 trillion Punjab budget 2015-16.

Fifteen percent quota in government jobs and age relaxation will empower women which is a historic decision, he said.

Talking to founder president IWCCI Samina Fazil, he said that women will feel confident and empowered by the decision of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

He also appreciated provincial finance minister Dr. Ayesha Ghous Pasha and asked her to keep women empowerment on priority to fulfil aspirations of over 50 percent population of the country.

Mian Shahid also lauded the increased allocation for education, health, energy and infrastructure which will unleash an era of development to contain unemployment.

He asked other provinces to initiate women empowerment initiatives and prefer provision of subsidy to farmers and clean drinking water.

The budget was in line with the Punjab Growth Strategy which aims to bring provincial economic growth up to 7-8 percent by 2018 and create one million new jobs, he said.

At the occasion, Samina Fazil, said that Punjab budget is encouraging which will generate economic activity.

Women entrepreneurs can climb ladder of success if they are supported by the government which amounts to supporting future generations.

Women deserve opportunities to transform their potential into profit which is one of the best investments for the future of Pakistan, she said.

Samina Fazil said that majority of the business community feel that a huge budget is needed to empower women and bring them into mainstream which is incorrect.