Economic independence vital for women empowerment: CM

LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that half of Pakistan’s population comprised of women and their empowerment is the need of the hour for the progress and prosperity of the country.
He said that the Punjab government announced a comprehensive policy for the empowerment of women in 2012, under which revolutionary steps had been taken for the protection of their rights and their empowerment. The chief minister said that 33 percent quota for women had been fixed in government boards whereas the women quota in government jobs had also been increased from five percent to 15 percent. He said that contract for running canteens in the educational institutions for women was also being given to women. Similarly, he said that ownership of women inheritance had been made compulsory. He said that a law had also been introduced for the protection of women in offices and their workplaces. Talking to the delegation of an NGO, working for the protection of women rights, which called on him under the leadership of Shirkatgah Executive Director Farida Shaheed. Local and foreign delegates were also included in the delegation while Federal Minister for Water and Power Kh Muhammad Asif was also present on the occasion.
Talking to the delegation, the chief minister said that Pakistani women were very talented and they had proved their metal in all sectors of life.
He said that the role of women, including Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and Ra'ana Liaqat Ali Khan in Pakistan Movement was highly commendable. He said that Benazir Bhutto played a prominent role in political field and was the first prime minister of the country. He said that upholding of the women's rights and their protection was the collective responsibility. He said that economic independence was essential for women empowerment.
He said that women had to work side by side with men in the practical field after completion of their education. He said that Islam had laid stress on the women's rights. He said that special centres were being set up for the provision of justice to the women who were subjected to violence. He said the foundation stone of first centre had been laid in Multan where all necessary facilities would be available under one roof. He said that women after completion of their education would have to play their vigorous role in the practical field for the progress and prosperity of the country. He said that development targets could not be achieved without participation of women in the development process. He said that work would have to be done for the economic self-reliance of women and they should have those rights which have been given by Islam. Federal Minister for Water and Power Kh Asif said that a lot of work had still to be done for women empowerment and collective efforts were required for this purpose. The participants of delegation said that the Punjab government had taken effective steps for women empowerment and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was taking practical steps in the real sense for this purpose.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif directly contacted the people through a video message on Facebook Monday. He listened to their problems and issued orders for their solution. The chief minister while listening to the problems of the people on Facebook said that public problems were identified through contacts on Facebook and immediate steps were taken for their solution.
Replying a question of Mian Raheel from Faisalabad, the chief minister said that the Punjab government had set up Punjab Educational Endowment Fund eight years ago and the volume of this educational fund had increased to Rs16 billion. He said that talented but deserving students were getting education at prestigious educational institutions through the income of this educational fund.
He said that Rs5.60 billion had been given to the deserving students as scholarship so far. He said that more than one lakh students were getting education through this fund. He said that the annual budget of PEEF was being increased from Rs2 billion to Rs4 billion. He said the number of scholarships would be increased in this educational fund and more than two lakh students would be given scholarships in a year.
He said that students of other provinces, including Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and FATA had also been included in this revolutionary programme of the Punjab government which had promoted national unity and brotherhood. He said that education was a key to removing darkness of ignorance and bringing prosperity. He said the amount of scholarships had been sent to students of Government College University, Faisalabad, which they would receive soon. Replying a question of Junaid Aslam from Daska, Shahbaz Sharif said that the teachers had been recruited only on merit throughout the province and 1,470 educators were recruited in Sialkot during current year.
He said that the verification of educational certificates of the educators after recruitment was a part of policy of recruitment under merit. He said that the salaries of those educators whose certificates were verified, had been paid online and the salaries of remaining educators would be paid online after verification of certificates. In response to the question of Sana Zahoor from Faisalabad, he said that if connivance of anyone was proved regarding illegal possession of land of Government Primary School, Rahmania, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, strict action would be taken. He said that a committee had been constituted for investigation into the matter. He said that punishment would be awarded to those land grabbers and action would be taken in the light of the report of the inquiry committee. Replying a question of Muhammad Ali Anjum from Jhelum, Shahbaz Sharif said that he would not allow any excess committed against the people in the name of parking fee at DHQ hospital, Jhelum. He said that parking fee would have to be paid only one time during 24 hours in the hospital.
The chief minister said that he would not allow anyone to receive parking fee repeatedly. He said that the action would be taken against the contractor receiving excessive parking fee. In response to the question of Gulzeb Gul of Sahiwal, Shahbaz Sharif said that the problems of students of Sahiwal College affiliated with Bahauddin Zakariya University would be redressed. He said that an inquiry had been ordered into the matter of displaying negligence in the issuance of result cards to the students. He said that no one would be allowed to play with the future of the students.
BALOCHISTAN CHIEF MINISTER
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Maalik Baloch called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here Monday. Matters of mutual interest, promotion of inter-provincial harmony and political situation were discussed in the meeting.
Talking on the occasion, the chief minister said there was greater need for national unity and harmony in the present situation. He said that important successes had been achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during last two and a half years. He said that glorious success of Pakistan Muslim League-N in the first and second phase of local government elections had authenticated the results of general elections 2013 and people through their votes had proved that they wanted continuity of the policies of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The chief minister said that work was being carried out round-the-clock for the progress and development of the country and new records of public service would be set during next two and a half years.
Dr Abdul Maalik Baloch congratulated Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the thumping success of PML-N in LG elections and appreciated the performance of the Punjab government.