Daily Times

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday said the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran is fully committed to empower women following the teachings of Islam which ensures full protection to their rights.

Addressing a function in connection with the International Women Day, she promised to extend complete support for the upcoming Aurat March provided it ‘does not trample on Pakistan’s honour’. She said peaceful protest is the right of every citizen and the government will ensure that every citizen is allowed to exercise this right. However, she said some slogans attached with this march are against the teachings of Islam and socio-cultural values of the society. She said that a handful of elements are trying to mislead the entire nation through such slogans which are repugnant to the religious beliefs.

She said in an Islamic society, men as fathers, brothers, husbands and sons respect and protect honour and dignity of the women. She opined that these slogans are creating hurdle in emancipation and empowerment of women instead of promoting their cause. She said that there are no two opinions about need of gender balancing in the society, end of discrimination against women and male dominance, adding that social attitude towards the working women should change. She said Islam protects women rights in law of inheritance. She said legislation has been enacted for the purpose and the government is striving to implement the laws at the grassroots level.

She said Pakistan was established in the name of Islam and the government is acting to make women partners on the economic front. She said Fatima Jinnah stood by Qauid-e-Azam in struggle for creation of Pakistan and now it is responsibility of the women of today to take pro-active role in development of the country. She said for the PTI government, every day is women day as it is striving to empower them in every field of life. Replying to media persons’ questions, Dr Firdous said that it is ironic that those facing cases in accountability courts for plundering national resources are giving lectures for betterment of the society. She said former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has confessed that past models of development had failed.