Punjab CM calls for unified OIC drive to empower women across muslim world

• Maryam Nawaz urges Islamic nations to ensure every girl has access to education, dignity and opportunity

• Tells 9th OIC Women Conference that empowering women essential for national progress and prosperity

• Highlights Punjab initiatives in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, digital inclusion and public safety

• Says over 60pc of scholarship and laptop scheme beneficiaries in Punjab are women

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to forge a united strategy for the empowerment of women across the Muslim world, saying women's empowerment was not the success of a single segment of society but a prerequisite for the progress and prosperity of entire nations.

Addressing the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women in Lahore, the chief minister said every girl in the Muslim world deserved equal access to education, opportunity, dignity and the freedom to pursue her aspirations without fear. She stressed that collective action through the OIC platform could help create greater opportunities, strengthen legal and social protections, and accelerate the empowerment of women across member states.

"مسلم ممالک کے تعاون سے ہر لڑکی کے لیے معیاری تعلیم، معاشی مواقع اور ترقی کے یکساں حقوق کی فراہمی ناگزیر ہے۔ پاکستان سمیت پوری مسلم دنیا میں ماؤں کو عزت و وقار اور بیٹیوں کو بلا خوف و خطر اپنے خواب پورے کرنے کی آزادی دینے کے لیے سب کو مل کر کام کرنا ہوگا۔" وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب مریم… pic.twitter.com/880KqNg8mi

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 13, 2026

Welcoming delegates to Lahore, Maryam Nawaz described it as a privilege to address the high-level gathering and said Islam provided comprehensive guidance on safeguarding the rights, dignity and honour of women.

She paid tribute to Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah for standing shoulder to shoulder with Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in the struggle for Pakistan and fondly remembered her mother, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, for her steadfast support to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, saying she had drawn inspiration from her mother's courage, resilience and unwavering commitment.

The chief minister said education, healthcare and employment were fundamental rights of women and underscored the need for collective efforts to overcome the challenges confronting women throughout the Muslim world.

"پنجاب میں الیکٹرک ماس ٹرانزٹ نیٹ ورک اور پنک الیکٹرک ٹیکسی سروس کا آغاز کیا۔ ان پروگرامز کے تحت خواتین کو مفت اور محفوظ سفر کی سہولیات کے ساتھ ساتھ باوقار روزگار کے نئے مواقع بھی فراہم کیے جا رہے ہیں۔" وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کا اسلامی تعاون تنظیم کی خواتین سے متعلق… pic.twitter.com/iw8RDC9ls1

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 13, 2026

 Punjab’s initiatives for women's development

Highlighting the Punjab government's initiatives for women's development, she said women accounted for more than 60 per cent of beneficiaries under the provincial scholarship and laptop schemes. She added that women were also being included in flagship programmes such as Apna Ghar Apni Chhat, Apna Khet Apna Rozgar and the Honhaar Scholarship Scheme, enabling them to pursue higher education, secure employment and attain property ownership.

"خواتین کی خودمختاری، تعلیم اور معاشی ترقی کے لیے حکومتِ پنجاب کے انقلابی اقدامات اب عالمی سطح پر نمایاں ہیں۔ 'ہونہار اسکالرشپ پروگرام' اور 'اپنا گھر، اپنا روزگار' جیسے منصوبوں کے ذریعے بیٹیوں کو ان کا جائیداد اور تعلیم کا حق دے کر ہم ایک روشن اور برابر مستقبل کی بنیاد رکھ رہے… pic.twitter.com/Ggi0I9YTRy

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 13, 2026

She said every village in Punjab was gradually becoming part of the global digital economy through enhanced connectivity, while rural women were being economically empowered through livestock distribution programmes. Products manufactured by skilled women were being promoted through Sanatzar, while women with disabilities were also being provided opportunities to achieve financial independence.

"میرے نزدیک خواتین کی خودمختاری کوئی رسمی جملہ نہیں ہے۔ یہ کاغذ پر لکھے ہوئے حق اور زمین پر بدلی ہوئی زندگی کے درمیان کا فاصلہ ہے۔ خواتین کو صرف ترقی کے ثمرات سے مستفید نہیں ہونا بلکہ انہیں خود اس ترقی کو تشکیل دینا ہے۔ خواتین کو ترقی سے صرف فائدہ نہیں اٹھانا بلکہ ترقی کے رخ کا… pic.twitter.com/BjlKq7bs1i

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 13, 2026

Maryam Nawaz said the Dhee Rani Programme was supporting girls from financially disadvantaged families, while facilities and professional support for women lawyers were being expanded. She added that women were receiving healthcare services through Clinics on Wheels and field hospitals, reaffirming the government's commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for every mother and child.

The chief minister said women were being equipped with modern information technology skills, while the Green Taxi Programme was enabling them to earn sustainable livelihoods and benefit from safe transportation.

"پنجاب میں خواتین وکلاء کی پیشہ ورانہ ترقی کے لیے خصوصی سہولیات کے قیام سمیت 'کلینک آن ویلز' اور فیلڈ ہاسپٹلز کے ذریعے دور دراز علاقوں میں ماؤں کے لیے دہلیز پر مفت اور معیاری طبی خدمات کی فراہمی کے انقلابی اقدامات کیے جارہے ہیں۔ ہمارا مقصد ہے کہ پنجاب کی کوئی بھی ماں اور بیٹی… pic.twitter.com/FvY0LgFCuF

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 13, 2026

"The objective of women's empowerment is to give women full control over their lives," she said.

PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES

Referring to public safety initiatives, she said more than three million women had benefited from the services of the Safe City Authority. She added that 36 mobile police stations were providing assistance at the doorsteps of women unable to visit police stations, while more than 900 mobile charging stations and safety buttons had become operational across Punjab to further strengthen women's security.

"پنجاب میں خواتین کے تحفظ کے لیے انقلابی اقدامات کیے جارہے ہیں۔ اب پولیس خود مظلوم خاتون کے پاس پہنچے گی جس کے لیے 36 موبائل پولیس اسٹیشنز قائم کیے گئے ہیں۔ اس کے علاوہ خواتین کے لیے 905 سیفٹی زونز، فری وائی فائی، موبائل چارجنگ کی سہولت، پینک بٹنز اور طالبات کے تحفظ کے لیے گرلز… pic.twitter.com/4qFioEuURv

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 13, 2026

The chief minister said Islam guaranteed women honour, dignity and protection, adding that Punjab's policies on women's empowerment were being pursued in accordance with Islamic teachings and cultural traditions. She said creating employment opportunities for women remained one of her foremost priorities, while financial inclusion and women-led entrepreneurship continued to be promoted across the province.

COMMITMENT TO PRINCIPLES DEMANDS SACRIFICE

Sharing her personal experiences, Maryam Nawaz said she had learnt during difficult times that commitment to principles demanded sacrifice, patience and perseverance. Standing beside her father, she said, had strengthened her resolve and prepared her to represent the aspirations of millions of Pakistanis.

"سیاسی مصائب، ناانصافی اور ذاتی امتحانات نے مجھے تلخی نہیں بلکہ صبر اور استقامت سکھائی۔ جیسا کہ کہا جاتا ہے کہ 'جو چیز آپ کو ختم نہیں کرتی وہ آپ کو مزید مضبوط بنا دیتی ہے' اور مضبوط ترین فولاد ہمیشہ شدید ترین آگ میں ہی تپ کر تیار ہوتا ہے۔" وزیرِ اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف او آئی… pic.twitter.com/saOp7IYN15

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 13, 2026

She also paid tribute to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, describing her as the first woman prime minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world whose leadership paved the way for future generations of women. She further noted that the appointment of a woman as chief justice of a high court was not merely an individual accomplishment but a landmark achievement for millions of girls aspiring to leadership.

The chief minister said nearly one million people had benefited from the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar programme, while more than three million women had received digital assistance through the Safe City Authority and over one million women had availed services through the Virtual Police Station.

Concluding her address, Maryam Nawaz said an empowered woman was not only educated or economically independent but also secure and respected, reiterating that women's empowerment was inseparable from national development and prosperity.

"پنجاب میں الیکٹرک ماس ٹرانزٹ نیٹ ورک اور پنک الیکٹرک ٹیکسی سروس کا آغاز کیا۔ ان پروگرامز کے تحت خواتین کو مفت اور محفوظ سفر کی سہولیات کے ساتھ ساتھ باوقار روزگار کے نئے مواقع بھی فراہم کیے جا رہے ہیں۔" وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف کا اسلامی تعاون تنظیم کی خواتین سے متعلق… pic.twitter.com/iw8RDC9ls1

— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) July 13, 2026

Inviting delegates to explore Lahore, she described the city as a living museum of history, culture, poetry and hospitality. She expressed confidence that the OIC platform would further strengthen collective efforts to ensure education, dignity, opportunity and security for every woman across the Muslim world.