Vice Chairman, Sialkot International Airport Limited, Muhammad Afzal Shaheen expressed a strong hope that Pakistan will soon overcome the challenges facing its national integrity by boosting its economic credentials and building nationwide vigorous cohesiveness to safeguard and promote its vital national interests.
He was addressing a seminar organized by Baidarie Sialkot to celebrate independence and Kashmir Solidarity Day. He said SIAL was making huge contributions towards national economic development by attracting more and more business through increase in enviable opportunities for international air travelling and making valuable additions to the national exchequer. In addition, Corporate Social Responsibility Component of SIAL was massively contributing to the national development by providing substantial financial assistance to improve the condition of civic amenities in the settlements located in the proximity of Sialkot International Airport.
Addressing the participants of the ceremony, Hina Noureen President Baidarie Sialkot highlighted the contributions the organisation had been making over preceding 25 years for the development and socioeconomic empowerment of women and other vulnerable social segments.
She said the organisation had been focusing to encourage and enable women to access the job opportunities in the local market and/or set up women led enterprises. In addition, it has been making efforts to improve healthcare for women & children, end gender based discriminations & violence and increase financial literacy among women.
Prof Arshid Mehmood Mirza Executive Director Baidarie invited attention of the participants for change in behaviours towards national development, saying "it must not be considered only the sole responsibility of the govt to make improvement in the condition of the people.
Opinion and decision makers in the communities should also step forward encourage the people to volunteer themselves for finding out solutions to the confronting developmental challenges through self-help initiatives." He said Pakistan had a massive youth bulge comprising 64 percent of the total population of the country, adding "we must make sustainable efforts to provide them positive and constructive dimension so that their potentials may be utilized purposefully."
Omar Abdullah Ghumman - a prominent leader of public opinion while addressing the participants emphasized that govt and the people are together in the struggle to get the people of Jammu and Kashmir free from the clutches of Indian government.
"We will not hesitate from going to any extent and making any sacrifice for strengthening of the liberation government." Muhammad Iqbal Ghumman, Ch Shabbir ul Hassan Advocate, Dr Muqaddar Mirza and Ch Ghulam Mustafa Ghumman also spoke at the occasion. The ceremony concluded with a walk to register solidarity with freedom movement in Jammu and Kashmir.