Govt striving to empower women: Abdul Razak Dawood

Govt striving to empower women: Abdul Razak Dawood

FAISALABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile Industry, Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood on Wednesday said the government was striving to empower women enabling them to play their role in the development of the country.

Addressing a function at Faisalabad Garment City (FGC), he said women were almost half of our total population and the government was trying to equip them with proper skills so that they could earn their livelihood and bring positive and qualitative improvement in socio-economic sector.

He was optimistic that through mainstreaming of women, Pakistan could almost double its growth rate while the government was trying its level best to provide maximum facilities at their doorsteps.

He also thanked Japanese cooperation in different fields of life and hoped that Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would launch special programme for mainstreaming the women.

Speaking on the occasion, Japanese Ambassador Mr. Kuninori Matsuda appreciated the skills and talent of women in Pakistan, and assured that his government would continue to support Pakistan in textile, agriculture, education and health and human resource training sectors.

Earlier, addressing the function, Chairman Faisalabad Garments City Rehan Naseem Bahara briefed the chief guest about the development of Faisalabad Garment City and said that it was not only playing its role in the export of value added textile products but also providing hundreds of jobs to workers including a sizeable number of women.

Later, Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood along with Japanese Ambassador Mr. Kuninori Matsuda inaugurated Female Exclusive Training Institute at Faisalabad Garment City.

Talking to the media, the PM Advisor said Pakistani exporters must enhance their efficiency and productivity to compete in the international market instead of depending on subsidies and other artificial supports.

He said the economy was in a bad shape due to ill-planning and ill-conceived policies by past government, however, the incumbent government was now trying to put it on right track through prudent policies.

He said only through improved efficiency and productivity, we could ensure sustainable development on long term basis.

He said the framework for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China was being finalized which would strengthen Pakistan’s economy.

He claimed that owing to positive steps taken by the present government, the output of existing industrial sector had been improved.

 APP