ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Finance and Revenue Bilal Azhar Kayani on Sunday held a consultative meeting with presidents, vice presidents, and representatives of Women Chambers of Commerce and Industry across the country at the Ministry of Finance. The meeting was attended by delegations from Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Sargodha, Karachi, and several other cities, representing around 40 women chambers. The delegation, led by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Vice President Qurat-ul-Ain, engaged in detailed discussions with the state minister on the coming federal budget formulation process, women’s economic inclusion, entrepreneurship, and strengthening the role of women in the national economy.
The delegations submitted proposals for consideration in the upcoming federal budget-2026-27.
The minister assured the participants that their suggestions and concerns would be given serious consideration in the policy-making process.
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Participants highlighted challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and presented recommendations aimed at increasing women’s participation in economic activity and public policy-making. They also emphasized the importance of involving women in core policy and decision-making processes, improving access to skills development, enhancing opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), expanding support for women-led businesses, and strengthening human resource development initiatives.
State Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani lauded the valuable contribution of women entrepreneurs to Pakistan’s economic growth and acknowledged their expanding role across various sectors. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government is committed to creating greater opportunities for women and ensuring their meaningful participation in economic and social development.
He further said that women are already contributing through various advisory boards, committees, and consultative platforms, and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to further strengthen their representation and inclusion. He reiterated the government’s support for women’s economic empowerment and said the Ministry of Finance would continue to facilitate women entrepreneurs in addressing their business-related challenges.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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