The country is marking the International Women's Day-2016 with the theme of "Pledge For Parity" in a bid to highlight women's services for society by making a pledge to try give them their due status and respect. The marking is seeing various political, social, cultural and educational organisations arranging conferences, seminars, exhibitions, festivals and concerts and radio and television channels too are arranging programmes.
The Shehbaz Sharif-led Punjab government has taken various measures for women empowerment, such as the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act passed by the Punjab Assembly, being considered a major achievement though it has its critics too.
Senior governing party leader Mohammad Pervaiz Malik said on Monday, "The government has taken revolutionary steps to empower women because the dream of progress cannot be materialised without empowering them. Pakistan will certainly achieve its lost status in the international community if her women come forward in progress. Women of our country are talented and have to use their talent for the welfare and betterment of the country.