ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for women and ensuring their active involvement in the nation’s economic and social spheres. This commitment was emphasized during a consultative meeting held in Islamabad, where the Minister met with representatives from women’s chambers of commerce and industry from various regions.

According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting served as a platform for discussing issues related to women’s economic inclusion and entrepreneurship. Kayani acknowledged the significant contributions made by women entrepreneurs to the country’s economic progress and assured the attendees that their concerns and suggestions would be given due consideration in the policymaking process. He stressed the importance of integrating their proposals into the forthcoming federal budget.

The discussions also focused on the challenges faced by women-owned businesses, with the delegation proposing measures to bolster the role of women in Pakistan’s economy. The Minister pledged ongoing collaboration to address these challenges, underscoring the government’s dedication to supporting women entrepreneurs.

The meeting gathered representatives from approximately 40 women’s chambers from cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Sargodha, and Karachi. Participants shared a range of recommendations to be considered in the budget preparation process, highlighting their collective efforts to advocate for women’s empowerment in the economic sector.