Women entrepreneurs must share their success stories, opines ex-FPCCI chief

Women entrepreneurs must share their success stories in order to inspire and sensitize young females to start their own businesses instead of seeking jobs, said Mian Muhammad Adrees, former president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI).

He was addressing a "Women's Day" function which also marked the celebration of the election of Qurat-ul-Ain, President of Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FWCCI), as "Senator to Pakistan" of World Business Forum, an affiliate of G20.

He appreciated the establishment of FWCCI and termed it a major step towards empowerment of female entrepreneurs. He said that Islam is a complete code of life which gives top priority to the females whereas in Europe, women are being exploited.

He quoted a "Hadees" of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that any person who rears two daughters will be with Him in heaven.

He also expressed satisfaction over the prime eastern values still maintained by its inhabitants and said that our parents nurture their daughters in order to help them start a new chapter in their married life.

He said that some women also have to face problems in their practical life only due to the unnecessary hurdles created by some myopic males. He said that no one can deny the importance of women to give a quick start to the national economy. He said that women are 52% of our population whereas they are facing multiple economic problems and we must make conscious efforts for their mainstreaming to accelerate economic activities.

Lauding the role of FWCCI, he said that its Founding President Rubina Amjad has played a major role in stabilizing this newly created organization. He also recognized its importance within the country, adding that now Qurat-ul-Ain has excelled by having her capabilities recognized at the global level. He said that election of Qurat-ul-Ain as Senator to Pakistan for World Business Forum is an achievement par excellence.

Asma Ijaz Cheema, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad, said that collective efforts were required for the mainstreaming of females.

She said that the women had proved their capability in all segments of life which would help them to play their role along with male population of the country.

She also underlined the importance of education and skill development for females and said that we must start dedicated programs for the women so that they could become an active player of our national economy.

Rubina Amjad, Founding President of the FWCCI, thanked Mian Muhammad Adrees for his kind patronage and said that it was only due to his guidance and support that this Chamber had taken roots.

Qurat-ul-Ain, President of FWCCI, paid special thanks to Mian Muhammad Adrees and Rubina Amjad and hoped that they would continue to support this nestling Chamber which was ready to play a key role in the overall economy of Pakistan.

Later awards were presented to the successful and emerging female entrepreneurs while shields were also presented to Mian Muhammad Adrees, Asma Ijaz Cheema, Qurat-ul-Ain, Rubina Amjad and Faheem Gillani.