Pakistan takes centre stage as OIC Women’s Summit opens to advance empowerment agenda

• Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar reaffirms commitment to advancing women’s rights and strengthening collaboration across Muslim world

• Islamabad hosts delegates from all 57 OIC member states to shape roadmap for women’s socio-economic and political advancement

• Pakistan to assume two-year chairmanship as conference prepares to adopt landmark ‘Islamabad Declaration’

• Pakistan, Türkiye sign MoU to expand cooperation in family welfare, women’s rights and social security

 ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law & Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar on Sunday described Pakistan’s hosting of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women as a “distinct honour”, saying the country would utilise the high-level forum to showcase its initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment and the promotion of an inclusive society while reaffirming its commitment to advancing women’s rights across the Muslim world.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the law minister said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja and a large number of women delegates would also participate in the two-day conference.

He said the conference is being held under the theme, “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward.”

The minister announced that the conference would conclude with the adoption of the “Islamabad Declaration.”

Azam Nazeer Tarar highlighted that it was a matter of great pride that Pakistan would assume the chairmanship of the conference for the next two years, adding that the country was fully prepared to fulfil its responsibilities in advancing the OIC’s agenda on women’s empowerment.

He said representatives from all 57 OIC member states were participating in the conference, alongside various technical working groups.

He said technical sessions of the conference were underway on Sunday, while the main ministerial session would be held on Monday.

Reaffirming the government's commitment, Azam Nazeer Tarar said Pakistan remained determined to further advance the agenda of protecting and promoting women's rights.

Pakistan implementing priority measures for women’s empowerment

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar said Pakistan continues to prioritise women’s empowerment, with women making significant contributions in politics, parliament, the judiciary, education, business and other sectors.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Jalila Allahverdiyeva, Head of the Administrative Division of the OIC Labour Centre in Azerbaijan, where the two sides held detailed discussions on women’s rights, social development and the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

وفاقی وزیر قانون و انصاف اور انسانی حقوق کی او آئی سی لیبر سینٹر، آذربائیجان کی ہیڈ آف ایڈمنسٹریٹو ڈویژن جلیلہ اللہ وردیئیوا سے ملاقات، خواتین کے حقوق، سماجی ترقی اور باہمی تعاون کے فروغ پر تفصیلی تبادلۂ خیال۔
وفاقی وزیر قانون و انصاف اور انسانی حقوق نے کہا کہ اسلام نے خواتین کو… pic.twitter.com/iXwTcifGIX

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) July 12, 2026

The meeting also focused on advancing women’s empowerment, social protection, capacity building and promoting joint initiatives under the platform of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Tarar said Islam had granted women dignity, equality and fundamental rights, adding that it was the collective responsibility of the Muslim Ummah to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights.

Pakistan and the OIC Labour Centre reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for women’s development by enhancing institutional linkages, exchanging experiences and promoting closer collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Pakistan, Türkiye sign MoU on family affairs, social security

Pakistan and Türkiye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance joint projects relating to family affairs and social security services, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said on Sunday on the sidelines of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women.

وفاقی وزیر قانون و انصاف اور انسانی حقوق اعظم نذیر تارڑ کی ترکیہ کی وزیر برائے خاندانی و سماجی خدمات ماہینور اوزدمیر گوکتاش سے ملاقات،

خواتین کے حقوق، خاندانی نظام کے استحکام اور سماجی تحفظ کے فروغ پر تفصیلی تبادلۂ خیال۔

پاکستان اور ترکیہ کے درمیان خاندان، سماجی خدمات اور سماجی… pic.twitter.com/JzJXAYie38

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) July 12, 2026

The agreement was signed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Law and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar and Turkish Minister for Family and Social Services Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas.

Pakistan is hosting ministers responsible for women and family affairs, senior government officials, representatives of OIC institutions, international organisations and development partners at the two-day conference being held under the theme, “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and the Way Forward.”

According to the Ministry of Information, “Pakistan and Türkiye signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in the field of family, social services and social security.”

The ministry said the two countries also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in family welfare, women’s rights, social security and institutional collaboration, besides exchanging experiences and implementing joint projects.

وفاقی وزیر قانون و انصاف اور انسانی حقوق اعظم نذیر تارڑ کی ترکیہ کی وزیر برائے خاندانی و سماجی خدمات ماہینور اوزدمیر گوکتاش سے ملاقات،

خواتین کے حقوق، خاندانی نظام کے استحکام اور سماجی تحفظ کے فروغ پر تفصیلی تبادلۂ خیال۔

پاکستان اور ترکیہ کے درمیان خاندان، سماجی خدمات اور… pic.twitter.com/ho5rwPEP7o

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) July 12, 2026

Tarar and Goktas further agreed to enhance cooperation in protecting families, promoting the rights of women and children in the digital space and advancing joint policy initiatives.

Strengthening family system and OIC cooperation

Separately, Tarar met Dr. Maimunah Al-Khalil, Secretary General of Saudi Arabia’s Family Affairs Council, to discuss women’s empowerment, strengthening the family system and expanding cooperation within the OIC framework.

وفاقی وزیر قانون و انصاف اور انسانی حقوق اعظم نذیر تارڑ کی مملکت سعودی عرب کی فیملی افیئرز کونسل کی سیکرٹری جنرل ڈاکٹر میمونہ الخلیل سے ملاقات،

خواتین کے حقوق، خاندانی نظام اور او آئی سی تعاون پر تبادلۂ خیال۔

ملاقات میں سعودی عرب کی سماجی و اقتصادی اصلاحات اور خواتین کی بڑھتی… pic.twitter.com/WKJRZwOK8B

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) July 12, 2026

According to the Ministry of Information, Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to further promoting women’s empowerment, strengthening the family system and enhancing joint cooperation on the OIC platform.

The Pakistan law minister also held a meeting with Dr. Zahra Behrouz Azar, Iran’s Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, during which the two sides discussed women’s rights and cooperation among OIC member states.

وفاقی وزیر قانون و انصاف اور انسانی حقوق اعظم نذیر تارڑ کی اسلامی جمہوریہ ایران کی نائب صدر برائے خواتین و خاندانی امور ڈاکٹر زہرہ بہروز آذر سے ملاقات۔

خواتین کے حقوق، او آئی سی تعاون اور باہمی تعلقات پر تفصیلی تبادلۂ خیال۔

ڈاکٹر زہرہ بہروز آذر نے جنگ بندی کے لیے پاکستان کے… pic.twitter.com/DziAqeJcmj

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) July 12, 2026

The ministry said both leaders agreed to further strengthen the historical, religious, cultural and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran and undertake joint efforts to promote women’s rights.

It added that the meeting also decided to highlight the plight of women in Palestine and Afghanistan on the OIC platform with the objective of formulating a joint action plan for their welfare.

Dr. Zahra Behrouz Azar also welcomed Pakistan’s assumption of the two-year chairmanship of the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, expressing confidence in the country’s leadership role in advancing the shared objectives of the forum.