PESHAWAR, Oct 27 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Tuesday emphasized that empowering women through quality education, skills development and economic opportunities was imperative for achieving sustainable economic growth and building a prosperous society. Addressing a national seminar on “Socioeconomic Empowerment of Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan” jontly organized by Pakistan Poverty Allevation Fund and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar, the federal minister said women constituted a …
Women’s empowerment imperative for sustainable economic development: Aurangzeb Khichi
PESHAWAR, Oct 27 (APP):Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Tuesday emphasized that empowering women through quality education, skills development and economic opportunities was imperative for achieving sustainable economic growth and building a prosperous society.
Addressing a national seminar on “Socioeconomic Empowerment of Dukhtaran-e-Pakistan” jontly organized by Pakistan Poverty Allevation Fund and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar, the federal minister said women constituted a vital segment of society and their active participation in the country’s cultural, social and economic development was essential.
Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, MPAs, advisers to the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Vice Chancellor SBBWU, along with faculty members and students, attended the seminar.
Aurangzeb Khichi said women could play a pivotal role in promoting Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage, traditional arts, handicrafts and creative economy.
He stressed the need to recognize women’s skills and provide them with platforms, resources and institutional support to transform their cultural knowledge and talents into sustainable economic activities.
He particularly emphasized addressing the challenges faced by women in rural and underprivileged areas by creating greater access to education, professional training, markets and financial opportunities.
“Women need to be equipped with education as well as marketable skills so that they can become economically empowered and contribute effectively to society and the national economy,” he said.
The minister said the government was utilizing all available resources to promote women’s empowerment and provide them with opportunities for education, skills development and meaningful economic participation.
He said the federal government was also working to provide wider market access to handicrafts and other products prepared by women, enabling them to benefit from emerging economic opportunities.
Aurangzeb Khichi said the federal government would join hands with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for the betterment of the younger generation and universities in the province.
He appreciated the role of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar in providing women with digital platforms and other necessary facilities and called for further expansion of educational opportunities for women.
The minister proposed professional training programmes in public sector universities and suggested signing memoranda of understanding among the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Lok Virsa and SBBWU to benefit from their respective expertise and resources.
He assured that the federal government would extend full cooperation to the provincial government for the protection and preservation of historical sites and national heritage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said efforts would also be made to strengthen cooperation between the Centre and the province in the fields of culture, tourism and archaeology.
Aurangzeb Khichi expressed hope that an archaeological site from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List next year.
Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said empowerment of youth, particularly young women, was among the top priorities of the federal government.
He announced that around 250,000 Chromebooks would be provided to students across the country under the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Programme to promote digital education and equip young people with modern technological skills.
He said the Chromebook programme would be launched in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within two weeks, adding that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif would soon distribute Chromebooks among talented students of the province.
Rana Mashhood said the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme was aimed at creating opportunities for young people to move forward on the basis of merit, talent and hard work rather than political affiliation or personal recommendations.
He said the government was taking measures to ensure equal opportunities for youth across the country, particularly young women who possessed immense potential and only needed proper opportunities and institutional support to excel.
“Students of the women’s university have tremendous talent. They need opportunities to prove their abilities and contribute to the country’s development,” he said.
The chairman said steps were being taken under the National Youth Employment Policy to ensure at least 35 percent participation of women, while efforts were also under way to facilitate women through the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme.
He said female students would be provided opportunities for technical education, vocational training and skill-based sectors alongside their formal education.
Rana Mashhood said the government was also working to connect young people with leading startups and educational centres so they could acquire market-oriented skills and explore employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
He said the government was working to bridge the gap in opportunities available to the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and was launching various Prime Minister’s Youth Programme initiatives in the province on an urgent basis.
Clarifying that the Prime Minister’s laptop scheme was entirely merit-based, he said it had nothing to do with political affiliation and deserving students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had also benefited from the programme.
“There is no shortage of talent among the children and youth of Pakistan; what they need are opportunities,” Rana Mashhood said.
He said girls affected by terrorism had often approached him seeking educational opportunities and stressed the importance of ensuring continued access to education for young women.
Addressing the students, he said they were fortunate to have access to quality educational institutions and a conducive learning environment in Peshawar.
Rana Mashhood urged students to connect with the Prime Minister’s Youth Digital Hub to access skill development and employment opportunities on merit.
He said the government had also established the Pakistan Education Fund to provide scholarships to children across the country, while work was under way to promote a Digital Pakistan through improved internet connectivity and digital facilities for students.
“Success belongs to those who work hard with sincerity and discipline. Believe in yourselves because self-confidence is the first step towards progress and success,” he said.
Encouraging female students to set clear goals and work diligently to achieve them, he said Pakistani girls were no less talented than girls anywhere in the world.
“Girls are not a burden on society; they are an asset and the future of Pakistan,” he said, urging them to acquire skills and benefit from the resources and opportunities being provided by the government.
Rana Mashhood also called upon the youth to rise above provincial and ethnic prejudices, saying all Pakistanis shared a common national identity.
“When we travel abroad, our identity is Pakistan. No province or ethnic group defines us there. Pakistan is our country and our honour,” he said.
He said Pakistan had demonstrated its strength and resilience during Marka-e-Haq under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, frustrating the enemy’s designs.
He said Pakistan was not only playing an important role in international affairs but had also established a prominent position in the international community.
“The eyes of the world are on Pakistan,” he said, stressing that it was the collective responsibility of all Pakistanis to work tirelessly to make the country economically strong.
Aurangzeb Khichi and Rana Mashood distributed awards and certificates among postion holders.
The Vice Chancellor and faculty members welcomed the distinguished guests upon their arrival at the university.
