Pakistan Set to assume OIC Women Chairmanship as 9th Ministerial Conference opens in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, Jul 12 (APP): Pakistan is set to host the 9th Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), bringing together delegates from all 57 OIC member states for a two-day meeting aimed at advancing women’s empowerment across the Muslim world.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said Pakistan was honored to host the ministerial conference, which would culminate in the country assuming the OIC Women’s chairmanship from Egypt for the next two years.

The press conference was also attended by Members of Parliament Wajeeha Qamar and Saba Sadiq.

Tarar said technical-level sessions were being held on the opening day, while the main ministerial session would take place on Monday with the participation of ministers and observers from OIC member states.

He said Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif would formally inaugurate the conference, when Pakistan would officially take over the chairpersonship of the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women. He added that a large number of foreign delegations had already arrived in Islamabad.

The minister said this year’s conference would focus on enhancing the role of women in society and identifying practical measures to promote their development across OIC member states.

Held under the theme of women’s social, economic and political empowerment, the conference will deliberate on key challenges facing women and discuss a future roadmap for strengthening their participation in all spheres of life, he said, adding that member states would present their respective perspectives during the deliberations.

Tarar said the conference would conclude with the adoption of the “Islamabad Declaration,” reflecting the collective commitment of OIC member states to advancing women’s rights and opportunities.

He said Pakistan would use the forum to showcase its initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and building an inclusive society. Several members of the federal cabinet will participate in the conference, while Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja are also scheduled to address the gathering.

The minister thanked senior parliamentarians Wajeeha Qamar and Saba Sadiq for their contributions to the successful organization of the event.

He described the hosting of such an international gathering as a matter of national pride and said comprehensive arrangements had been made to facilitate both national and international media covering the conference.