LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday called for collective action through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to advance women’s women-centric initiatives, saying that women constituted more than 60 per cent of beneficiaries under the provincial scholarship and laptop schemes. She said flagship programmes, including Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar, Apni Zameen, Apna Rozgar, Honhaar Scholarship Programme, livestock distribution for rural women, Sanatzar, IT skills training, internships and business financing initiatives were helping women achieve economic independence.
The CM said the Dhee Rani Programme was supporting daughters from underprivileged families, while dedicated initiatives had also been launched for women lawyers and women with disabilities. Clinics on Wheels, Field Hospitals and an extensive network of Lady Health Workers are expanding healthcare services for women across Punjab. Highlighting economic empowerment, she said the Green Taxi Programme was creating employment opportunities while ensuring safer transport for women. Digital literacy and e-commerce initiatives, she added, were enabling rural women to participate in the global economy. On women’s access to security and emergency assistance, with the virtual platform alone assisting more than one million women.
Sharing her personal journey, Maryam said she had learned the values of sacrifice and steadfastness while standing beside her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, during difficult times. Challenges strengthened her resolve and taught her that perseverance is the only path forward. Calling for greater cooperation among OIC member states, she said every girl in the Muslim world deserved education, opportunity, dignity and the freedom to dream without fear. She said coordinated efforts through the OIC platform could ensure greater protection, inclusion and opportunities for women across the Islamic world. She invited conference participants to visit Lahore, describing the city as a symbol of history, culture, poetry and hospitality.
Meanwhile, Maryam paid a glowing tribute to the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement, and called on the international community to ensure the implementation of the United Nations resolutions guaranteeing the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. In her message on the Kashmir Martyrs Day, she reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). She honoured the sacrifices of all Kashmiri martyrs, particularly the 22 Kashmiris who embraced martyrdom on July 13, 1931, saying that their blood had become an enduring symbol of struggle for freedom and justice.
She urged the global community to play an effective role in securing the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions, adding that the unparalleled sacrifices of the Kashmir martyrs constituted one of the brightest chapters in the history of the freedom movement. She said the courageous people of IIOJK had kept the flame of freedom alive through their sacrifices, and that spirit continued to inspire the resilience and determination of the Kashmiri people despite decades of oppression.
She expressed confidence that the priceless sacrifices of the people of IIOJK would never go in vain, adding that the day was not far when IIOJK people would witness the dawn of freedom. Separately, the CM expressed grief over the demise of former Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. In her condolence message, she extended condolences to the bereaved family. She prayed to Allah Almighty to grant the departed soul eternal peace and bless the bereaved family with fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
