Women’s economic empowerment vital for sustainable development: PA Speaker

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2026) Punjab Assembly (PA) Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan on Tuesday said that women’s economic empowerment was essential for sustainable national development.

He added that no society could achieve real progress without ensuring equal opportunities and meaningful participation of women in the economic mainstream.

He expressed these views while addressing the Women Development Department Punjab’s Mega Showcase on Women Empowerment, Digital Skills and Youth Innovation held at Alhamra Arts Council, where he attended as chief guest.

The event highlighted various provincial initiatives aimed at promoting women’s economic inclusion, digital literacy, leadership development and entrepreneurship. During the ceremony, laptops and cash prizes were distributed among 200 outstanding female students for their performance in the Youth Pitch Competition, Digital Poster Design Competition, Sehar Programme and Female Ambassador Programme.

In his address, the speaker said empowering women required a fundamental transformation in societal attitudes and collective thinking. He said the vision of national progress would remain incomplete unless women were enabled to participate fully in all spheres of life and provided opportunities for economic independence.

Referring to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, he said her leadership of one of the country’s largest political parties reflected the immense potential and capabilities of women.

Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan observed that nearly 70 percent of Punjab’s population lived in rural areas, where women made significant contributions to agriculture under difficult conditions but often lacked adequate social protection.

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Highlighting the issue of child labour at brick kilns, he urged educated youth to play an active role in bringing positive social change.

Encouraging female students, he advised young women possessing entrepreneurial talent to pursue their ambitions confidently and assured them of the Punjab government’s support in transforming innovative ideas into successful ventures.

Parliamentary Secretary for Women Development Saadia Taimur said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provincial government was implementing focused initiatives to advance women in education, technology, leadership and entrepreneurship. She said the Youth Pitch and Sehar programmes were creating new avenues for economic empowerment and educational advancement, while the Female Ambassador Programme was nurturing future women leaders.

Secretary Women Development Department Saman Rai said the Sehar Programme was helping women move towards economic self-reliance, while the Punjab government was ensuring equal access to modern technology for female students across the province. She added that aligning women with emerging global trends was the need of the hour.

The event also featured presentations on successful programme outcomes and student-led innovations. Financial assistance was announced for the top ten business ideas selected through the Youth Pitch Competition, while participants received appreciation for their entrepreneurial proposals, digital designs and creative concepts.