The goal of development cannot be achieved without women support: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that half population of Pakistan consists of women and the goal of development cannot be achieved without their practical participation. He said that Pakistani women are talented who have proved their mettle in all walks of life.

He expressed these views while addressing a function held in connection with International Women’s Day at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, here today. Provincial Ministers Begum Zakia Shah Nawaz, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Hameeda Waheed ud Din, Members National and Provincial Assembly, diplomats of China, Britain and other countries as well as a large number of women belonging to various walks of life attended the function.

The Chief Minister said this historic day demands that we should pledge to bring change in our attitudes and approach and give due status to the women. He said that men and women will have to march forward for making Pakistan an Islamic welfare state in accordance with the ideals of founders of the country. He said that poverty and ignorance will have to be eliminated speedily.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the attitudes of intolerance and extremism have created chaos in the country. He said that we have to face these challenges while seeking guidance from the teachings of Islam, life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.

Shahbaz Sharif said that today an International Women’s Day is being observed all over the world. He said that we are also observing this day according to Islamic values, constitution of Pakistan and vision of Quaid-e-Azam. No doubt, great women of the nation have achieved progress and successes in various sectors and proved their mettle, he added.

The Chief Minister said that Islam has laid great stress over the respect of women and the Hadith “Paradise is under the feet of mother” has further enhanced dignity of woman. Unfortunately, attitudes of intolerance have caused great loss to over society, he added. He said that when steps are being taken regarding women rights and dignity of women, some circles try to create impression that these are against the Islamic teachings.

He said that we have to bring change in our attitudes and approach. Shahbaz Sharif said that Ulema have to play their due role in highlighting the great status of women in their sermons. He said that women have worked shoulder to shoulder with men in the development of Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia and other Islamic countries, but, in our country, which is known as Islamic Republic of Pakistan, resistance against the participation of women in the process of development is not appropriate.

The Chief Minister said that daughters of the nation have taken lead in educational field over the sons of the nation. He said that Pakistan cannot march forward without participation of women in development process and giving them their due status. He said it is need of the hour that participation of women in practical field should be ensured. He said that PML-N government led by Prime Minister Muhammad   Nawaz Sharif has taken historic steps for the welfare and development of  the women. He said that we have to struggle for the development jointly and will not rest content till Pakistan is made an Islamic welfare state in the real sense.

Provincial Minister for Women Development Hameeda Waheed ud Din, addressing the function thanked Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on behalf of women of Punjab over the unprecedented steps taken for the development of the women. She said that Pakistan cannot be put on the road to progress and development without purification of women.

Chairperson Punjab Censor Board Zeba Ali congratulated Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif over the unprecedented steps taken for the development of the women. She said that the credit of exemplary development of Punjab province goes to Shahbaz Sharif who have changed map of the province by working day and night. She prayed that like Punjab, all units of Pakistan including Sindh, Balochistan and KPK should progress and have hard working man like Shahbaz Sharif.

Vice Chairman Punjab Educational Endowment Fund Dr. Amjad Saqib, addressing the function said that PEEF is the biggest fund of scholarship in south Asia and one and a half lakh resourceless children are getting education through this fund. He said that out of eight lakh families, more than forty percent women are benefitting from the Self-Employment Scheme of six billion rupees.