LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted an awareness session on government policies related to women, where leaders from business and government stressed that women’s economic empowerment is not a social luxury but a national necessity and that Pakistan cannot afford to leave half its population behind.

LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol, addressing the session, said that women are a vital part of society and play a central role in national development. He announced that a special ceremony to mark International Women’s Day will be held at the Lahore Chamber on Friday. He added that women today are not only managing households but are also making their mark in business, industry, and education, though they continue to face challenges including limited access to finance and professional guidance.

Parliamentary Secretary of the Punjab Women Development Department, Salma Saadia Taimoor, who attended as chief guest, said that the Punjab government, under the Chief Minister’s leadership, has placed women’s development and protection at the heart of its policy agenda. She highlighted several government initiatives, including virtual police stations, dedicated women’s helpline, and free travel on electric buses, e-taxi and e-bike schemes, women incubation centers, and skill development programmes.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026