Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Monday said Pakistan had recorded the world’s fastest reduction in the gender digital divide in mobile internet usage.

Addressing the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, hosted by the Ministry of Human Rights, she said that, according to the GSMA, Pakistan recorded the world’s largest improvement in digital inclusion, particularly in mobile internet usage.

She said that when she assumed office, Pakistan’s gender digital divide stood at 35 percent. It declined to 25 percent in 2025 and further dropped to just 8 percent in the 2026 report, making Pakistan the fastest country in the world to close the gender digital divide in mobile internet usage.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja said women’s mobile internet adoption increased from 33 percent to 45 percent over the past two years.

However, she stressed that connectivity alone was not enough, saying the real measure of success was whether women living in remote and rural areas could use technology to learn, earn, receive digital payments and become entrepreneurs.

The minister said the government’s digital transformation initiatives had empowered women from low-income households by providing them with dignified access to financial assistance through digital payment systems.

Recalling the federal government’s Ramazan subsidy programme, she said the initiative was shifted from state-owned retail outlets to digital payments, on the direction of the Prime Minister, to ensure beneficiaries received financial support with dignity.

She said the programme enabled the creation of 800,000 digital wallets within one month among the country’s lowest-income population. This year, another 900,000 women joined the digital financial system through digital wallets.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the government, with the support of the private sector and under the leadership of the Prime Minister, also distributed 10 million free SIM cards to women across the country to help them become active participants in the digital economy.

She described these initiatives as a structural shift that would naturally expand women’s inclusion in the country’s growing digital economy.

The minister said women should not remain merely recipients of technology but must also become its creators and decision-makers, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes central to every sector. She emphasized that women’s experiences and perspectives must be reflected in machine learning models and AI algorithms to prevent systematic exclusion.

She said women must have a meaningful seat at the table in the development of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, public data systems and digital regulation. Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan believes every girl should have access to digital connectivity, while every woman should be able to obtain and control a secure digital identity and financial account.

She added that women entrepreneurs should have equal opportunities to access digital markets and participate in technology-driven economic growth.

She called for measurable indicators under the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women to monitor progress in digital ownership, technology usage, income generation, enterprise growth, professional advancement and leadership.

The minister also urged OIC member states to celebrate women who continue to break barriers in technology and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to sharing its experiences, learning from partner countries and building practical partnerships to promote women’s digital empowerment.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the future lies in guaranteeing digital rights, building capabilities, opening institutions and ensuring technology remains accountable to inclusion. She said women should be recognized not merely as beneficiaries of technology but as equal partners in shaping the digital future.

The social, economic and political empowerment of women was essential for building a prosperous, innovative and inclusive society, stressing that technology must serve as an enabler of women’s participation rather than a source of exclusion, she added.

The minister said societies become wealthier, happier and more civically engaged when women are empowered as decision-makers, entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, public servants and political leaders.

She said Pakistan’s vision for women’s empowerment was based on three key pillars: education, legal and economic reforms, and digital public infrastructure.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja said education remained the foundation of every other freedom, enabling women to achieve financial independence and participate meaningfully in public life. She added that legal reforms must be accompanied by an enabling ecosystem that includes finance, financial literacy, mentorship, market access and leadership opportunities.

The minister said equipping women with knowledge, technical skills and confidence would remove barriers to their participation in the economy, accelerate GDP growth, reduce poverty and promote innovation in workplaces.

She said greater participation by women in the workforce would unlock untapped talent and improve living standards across communities.

She said digital public infrastructure enables women to gain direct financial control, become visible participants in the formal economy and access education, healthcare, social protection and government services remotely. She added that digital services reduce unnecessary delays, discretionary practices and informal payments while improving access to public services.

Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication views technology as critical infrastructure for women’s empowerment.

She said a connected device could bring education to girls living far from schools, while secure digital accounts allow women to directly control their income.

Likewise, online marketplaces enable home-based entrepreneurs to expand their businesses beyond local markets and even reach international customers. However, the minister cautioned that technology could also deepen inequalities if women lacked access to mobile phones, affordable internet, digital identities, digital skills or protection from online harassment.

“The question is not simply whether technology is available, but who has access to it, who controls it and for whom it is designed,” she said, adding that digital participation must lead to institutional participation.

Referring to Pakistan’s history, she said the country has always produced strong women leaders.

She paid tribute to Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah for standing beside the nation’s founder, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto as the first woman prime minister of the Muslim world, former First Lady Begum Kulsoom Nawaz for her courage during

difficult political times, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her development-oriented leadership focused on citizens’ welfare.

The minister said Pakistani women today were excelling as entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, startup founders and professionals across various sectors, adding that the government’s responsibility was to ensure their success became the norm rather than the exception.

Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and TANG Chinese International Education and Technology (Pvt.) Ltd. have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to strengthen academic collaboration and promote skills- and technology-based education between Pakistan and China.

The partnership will focus on launching joint academic programs, facilitating faculty and student exchanges, promoting the Chinese language, undertaking collaborative research, offering advanced skills training and strengthening university-industry linkages.

The Letter of Intent was signed by Prof. Dr Nasir Mahmood, Vice Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University, on behalf of AIOU while Mr. Song Jianying, CEO of TANG Chinese International Education and Technology (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan signed on behalf of the Chinese organization.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Nasir Mahmood said that young people equipped with modern technology and advanced skills are the true strength of the future. He emphasized that universities must prepare students to meet global challenges by providing them with quality education, practical competencies and internationally relevant skills.

He stated that the collaboration would pave the way for introducing innovative, skills-oriented academic programs that align with rapidly evolving global workforce requirements.

He also expressed hope that the partnership would lead to the establishment of a Chinese Language and Culture Centre at AIOU.

He noted that the University already operates successful centers for Turkish, Japanese and Russian languages and a Chinese language center would further strengthen educational, cultural and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and China.

Highlighting the importance of bilateral relations, the Vice Chancellor said that the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China continues to grow stronger and education remains one of the most effective means of passing this friendship on to future generations.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Song Jianying, CEO of TANG Chinese International Education and Technology (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan said that Allama Iqbal Open University is an ideal partner for promoting technology-driven and skills-based education in Pakistan. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would open new avenues for academic, research and technological cooperation while equipping young people with globally competitive skills.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Saima Nasir, Director of the Quality Enhancement Cell said that the Letter of Intent reflects AIOU’s commitment to expanding its international partnerships with leading educational institutions around the world. She added that the collaboration would provide valuable international academic and research opportunities for both students and faculty members.

The ceremony was attended by the University’s deans, professors, heads of academic departments and other principal officers.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Monday said the government is taking all possible measures to promote exports and attract both local and foreign investment across various sectors as part of its strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s economy.

Speaking to a private television channel, the minister said the government is focusing on export-led growth and the development of the industrial sector to ensure sustainable economic progress.

He said discussions have been held with foreign companies to encourage investment in different sectors, adding that creating a business-friendly environment remains one of the government’s top priorities.

Responding to a question, Qaiser Sheikh said the country’s foreign exchange reserves and remittances have witnessed an increase due to the policies and efforts of the incumbent government. Commenting on energy prices, he said the government has taken all possible measures to reduce the cost of energy for industries, enabling them to enhance production and improve competitiveness.

The minister expressed confidence that continued efforts to promote exports and strengthen the industrial sector would contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economic growth and stability.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday assumed the chairmanship of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to promoting the socio-economic and political empowerment of women across the Muslim world through collective action, cooperation and consensus.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women hosted by Ministry of Human Rights, the minister welcomed delegates from OIC member states and said Pakistan accepted the responsibility of chairing the conference with humility and a firm commitment to serve all 57 member states in a spirit of partnership, inclusivity and mutual respect.

He said the conference, held under the theme “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward,” provided a timely opportunity for member states to translate their shared commitments into practical measures that improve the lives of women across the Islamic world.

The minister said women across OIC countries were transforming economies, advancing scientific progress, strengthening institutions, leading businesses and contributing to peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts. However, he noted that millions of women and girls still faced barriers that limited their opportunities and participation in national development.

“Empowering women is not only a social imperative but also an economic necessity, a governance priority and a cornerstone of sustainable development,” he said, adding that no nation could fully realize its potential while half of its population was denied equal opportunities to learn, work, innovate and lead.

Highlighting Islamic teachings, Senator Tarar said Islam had recognized the dignity, rights and legal identity of women more than fourteen centuries ago, emphasizing justice and human dignity as timeless principles.

He stressed that the digital future should become a bridge to inclusion rather than a barrier to equality, ensuring women and girls have equal access to education, innovation and leadership in the era of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

The minister said the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) provided a unique platform for strengthening cooperation through the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women and the Women’s Development Organization, enabling member states to share experiences, strengthen institutional partnerships and accelerate progress while respecting their diverse legal systems and cultural values.

He said Pakistan viewed the chairmanship not as a position of prestige but as a responsibility to foster dialogue, build consensus and help transform shared aspirations into practical outcomes for women across OIC countries.

Highlighting Pakistan’s domestic efforts, Senator Tarar said the empowerment of women remained a national priority enshrined in the Constitution and supported through legal, policy and institutional reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

He said the government, through the Ministry of Human Rights, in collaboration with provincial governments, Parliament, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, civil society and international partners, was implementing the National Gender Policy Framework, Vision 2025 and the Prime Minister’s Women Empowerment Package.

He said Pakistan had introduced landmark legislation, established Gender-Based Violence Courts, strengthened women protection authorities, expanded legal aid and rehabilitation services, launched dedicated helplines and reinforced institutions, including the National Commission on the Status of Women and the National Commission for Human Rights.

The minister said Pakistani women were serving with distinction as parliamentarians, judges, diplomats, civil servants, entrepreneurs, academics, scientists and members of the armed forces, reflecting the country’s commitment to expanding women’s leadership in both public and private sectors.

He stressed that sustainable progress required the active engagement of men and boys as partners in promoting equality, respect and shared responsibility, saying inclusive societies could only be built through collective commitment.

Referring to humanitarian crises, Senator Tarar expressed solidarity with women and girls affected by conflict, occupation and displacement, particularly in Palestine, Afghanistan and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He said their resilience underscored the need to ensure protection, dignity, justice and hope for women facing conflict and humanitarian challenges.

He emphasized that artificial intelligence and digital innovation offered unprecedented opportunities to expand access to education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, provided these technologies were governed in an inclusive manner that prevented new forms of inequality.

As chair of the conference, Pakistan, he said, would work closely with the OIC General Secretariat, the Women’s Development Organisation, and all member states to strengthen cooperation, promote the exchange of best practices and advance practical initiatives for women’s empowerment.

The minister noted that women constituted nearly 940 million people, representing about 49.3 percent of the OIC’s total population, and urged member states to transform dialogue into concrete action that would create lasting opportunities for women across the Muslim world.

He said the true success of the conference would not be measured solely by the declarations adopted during the two-day meeting but by the tangible progress achieved for women after delegates returned to their respective countries.

The minister also thanked the OIC General Secretariat, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Human Rights, the organizing committee and all partners for their support in successfully convening the conference.

Islamabad: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday marked Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, describing July 13 as a historic day of truth, sacrifice, and steadfastness, and paid tribute to the 22 Kashmiris who were killed during the 1931 uprising against Dogra rule.

In a statement, Naqvi said the 22 martyrs who sacrificed their lives in protest against the oppression of the Dogra regime remained a symbol of courage and resistance. He said the martyrs of July 13, 1931, gave new direction to the struggle for justice and truth through their sacrifice.

The interior minister said the memory of those who lost their lives while the call to prayer was being made continued to inspire the resilience, determination, and perseverance of the Kashmiri people. He added that their sacrifices continued to strengthen the struggle for the right to self-determination.

Naqvi also expressed concern over the situation in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that prolonged restrictions, arrests, and human rights violations reflected what he described as India’s repressive policies in the region.

He said India’s “illegal and unconstitutional measures” had turned the valley into what he termed “the world’s largest prison,” where, according to him, fundamental freedoms had been denied.

Calling on the international community and global human rights organizations to take notice of the situation, Naqvi urged them to play their role in safeguarding the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position that a durable and just resolution of the Kashmir dispute could only be achieved in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Kashmir, Naqvi said the country would continue to stand by the Kashmiri people and raise their cause at every international forum until what he described as the realization of their freedom.

Islamabad: The online registration campaign for Hajj 2027-2030 has continued successfully, with the number of intending pilgrims registering from home surpassing 308,000. According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs, 222,000 applicants have opted for the government Hajj scheme, while 86,000 have registered under the private Hajj scheme.

Among the registered pilgrims, 181,000 are men and 127,000 are women. The educational profile of the applicants includes 3,500 PhD holders, 53,000 Master’s degree holders, and 71,000 Bachelor’s degree holders.

The largest number of applicants belongs to the 33-44 years age group, with 119,000 registrations, while around 40,000 registered pilgrims are over 61 years of age. The spokesperson said the Ministry of Religious Affairs is considering the introduction of an online Hajj fee payment system in the next phase.

He added that the Hajj Management System, developed by the National IT Board, has become an effective and convenient platform for communication between intending pilgrims and the ministry.

The registration process has been made simple and convenient through the Hajj Portal and the “Pak Hajj” mobile application, reflecting the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Pakistan.

The online registration process for Hajj 2027-2030 through the Hajj Portal and the “Pak Hajj” mobile application continues.