Neglecting women empowerment and their participation in the job market is not conducive for the economy or businesses of Pakistan, said the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh. Speaking to a delegation of women entrepreneurs on Saturday, he said that women made up 52% of Pakistan’s population.

He promised to work towards promotion of women entrepreneurs and widening their participation in the workforce. On the occasion, Senator Haji Ghulam Ali said that ignoring half of a country’s population was counterintuitive for promotion of its economic growth. FPCCI Vice President Aminullah Baig highlighted that the chamber advocated hiring of females in every industry and sector of Pakistan because no economy could flourish without the active participation of women.

He underlined that despite all hurdles and impediments, women of Pakistan had performed exceedingly well professionally. Businesswoman Hina Mansab Khan apprised the FPCCI delegation of the issues faced by women entrepreneurs and discussed ways and means of cooperation from the platform. She further urged the apex chamber to raise the concerns of businesswomen before the concerned authorities.

Both sides acknowledged the efforts made by FPCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and former FPCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar aimed at creating an enabling environment and confidence-inducing measures for women entrepreneurs. The meeting was also attended by former FPCCI vice presidents Qaiser Khan Daudzai, Firdousia Fazal, Uzma Shahid Butt and Asma Kanwal.

Source: Express Tribune