International Women’s Day was marked in Sindh with a strong message of recognition and empowerment as Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah paid tribute to the mothers, sisters and daughters of the province, acknowledging their vital contribution to society and national development.
In his message issued from the CM House in Karachi on Sunday, Shah said he salutes the women of Sindh, describing them as the backbone of families and communities.
He said International Women’s Day symbolises the global struggle for equality, rights and justice, emphasising that no society can progress without the active participation of women in all spheres of life.
He reaffirmed that the Sindh government remains firmly committed to empowering women and ensuring their meaningful inclusion in every sector of society. He said that providing women with equal opportunities in education, health care and employment remains a top priority for his government.
Highlighting the historic role of women in Pakistan’s political and democratic journey, he said the women of the country have played a remarkable part in strengthening democracy and contributing to national progress.
He cited figures such as Fatima Jinnah, Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto as inspiring examples of leadership, courage and struggle for democratic values. He said that women’s role is central to economic, social and political development, adding that confident and empowered women are the guarantee of a strong and progressive society.
He also highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the Sindh government to improve women’s mobility and safety. He said Pakistan’s first Pink Bus Service for women is successfully operating in Sindh, particularly in major urban centres, including Karachi, providing a safe and reliable travel option for female commuters.
He pointed out that the government’s Pink Electric Scooter scheme is another major step aimed at enhancing women’s independence and mobility. A dedicated Women’s Mobility Programme is also under way to further improve safe transportation facilities for women.
In the healthcare sector, he said, women & children health centres have been established in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana, while province-wide programmes are continuing to improve maternal & child health care.
He also highlighted significant progress in women’s education across Sindh. According to him, the provincial government has established institutions such as the Bakhtawar Cadet College for Girls in Larkana, the Begum Nusrat Bhutto Women University in Sakrand, the University of Sindh Women Campus in Jamshoro, the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Women University in Karachi, and the Government College University for Women in Hyderabad.
Shah said that numerous programmes are being implemented across Sindh to economically empower women. Under the Benazir Women Programme, financial assistance is being provided to women in Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas. Moreover, the Women Micro Enterprise Development Programme has been launched in Karachi and Hyderabad to support women entrepreneurs.
He said the Sindh government is also promoting digital literacy and IT training for women throughout the province to enable them to participate in the modern digital economy. Flood-affected women are being given priority in home ownership schemes as part of the government’s rehabilitation efforts.
He noted that Sindh is the first province in Pakistan to grant legal rights to women agricultural workers, calling it a milestone in recognising the role of rural women in the province’s economy.
He said the government is striving to strengthen women economically to improve society as a whole. Legal aid centres have been established across Sindh to provide social protection and legal support to women, while effective legislation has been enacted to prevent harassment.
He emphasised that the provincial government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against domestic violence and harassment, pointing out that women’s helplines and complaint cells are actively functioning to address grievances and ensure timely assistance.
Paying tribute to Benazir’s legacy, he recalled that she established Pakistan’s first women-focused bank, the First Women Bank Limited, to promote financial independence among women.
He also noted that during the Pakistan Peoples Party’s government, women police stations were established across the country to facilitate women seeking legal protection and justice. He concluded by reaffirming that empowering women remains central to building a stronger, more inclusive and progressive society in Sindh and across Pakistan.
