SUKKUR: Deputy Director Women Development Department, Ms Naseem Mastoi has said that no society could make progress economically, socially and politically by ignoring women folk. Talking to a delegation of Inter Global Human Development Society she said that Sindh government has been paying attention for welfare and development of women. She said that interest-free loans would be provided to women for their self-sufficiency. She said that vocational as well as special training of business was also being imparted to women. Ms Mastoi said that after amendments in inheritance and violence laws, enforcement of laws was being ensured so that safe atmosphere could be provided to the girls inside and outside the homes. Like responsible citizens of the country, the women should also fulfill their national responsibilities as our religion also gives its permission, she added. Meanwhile, anti-encroachment drive for the removal of encroachments on different canal banks of Indus River remained on. Under the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan two year ago, this drive would help in reopening of 16 closed gates of Sukkur Barrage. Court had declared all encroachment over irrigation properties in Pakistan as illegal and ordered concerned authorities to do away with these encroachments. After consultations with Opposition leader Khursheed Ahmed Shah in National Assembly, MNA Noman Islam Shaikh, Commissioner Sukkur Muhammad Abbas Baloch, Deputy Commissioner Sukkur Raheem Bux Maitalo, irrigation officials, law enforcement agencies and concerned officials started drive. Published in Daily Times, July 28th , 2017.