Lahore: The Women Media Center Pakistan organised a five-day media training workshop on Artificial Intelligence, Journalistic Safety and Inclusive Journalism for female students associated with media, women journalists, media practitioners and women aspiring to pursue careers in journalism.
The workshop, held at a local hotel from July 27 to July 31, 2026, familiarised participants with modern journalistic skills and the evolving requirements of the media industry to enable them to work professionally in the field. Director General Public Relations Punjab, Farid Ahmed, attended the concluding session as the chief guest and addressed the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, DGPR Punjab Sheikh Farid Ahmed said that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, as the first woman chief minister of the province, had made the welfare, protection and empowerment of women one of the key priorities of her government.
He said the Punjab government had undertaken numerous initiatives, including the establishment of state-of-the-art daycare centres for working women, provision of safe transport facilities for women, the Chief Minister Women Empowerment Package, Pink Games, the Pink Scooty Programme, expansion of working women hostels, promotion of women’s vocational and digital skills, creation of business opportunities and easy financial assistance, special facilities in the health and education sectors, and promotion of safe and dignified workplaces for women. He said these initiatives aimed to strengthen women economically and socially and provide them with an environment where they could perform their professional responsibilities with confidence and peace of mind.
He further said that under the leadership of Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari, women-friendly initiatives had also been introduced in the Information and Culture Department to provide women officers, journalists and media professionals with a safe, dignified and enabling professional environment.
He said that on the directions of Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, the daycare centre established at the DGPR had been upgraded in line with modern requirements so that working mothers could perform their professional responsibilities with complete peace of mind.
He added that nearly 50 per cent of the recruitment in the department’s Digital Media Wing had been allocated to women, reflecting confidence in women’s capabilities and the department’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion.
He further said that a large number of female interns were also receiving practical training in the Information and Culture Department, where they were being provided ample opportunities to learn modern media, digital communication and public relations while enhancing their professional skills.
He said special emphasis was being placed on improving women’s professional capacity, digital skills, training opportunities and leadership development so that they could play an effective role in media and other sectors.
Addressing the participants, Sheikh Farid Ahmed said they were fortunate to have access to opportunities. He urged them to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree, pursue master’s and doctoral studies, focus on education and also undertake field visits, which he said were equally important.
Speaking about women’s education, DGPR Farid Ahmed said an educated woman was vital for future generations. He said significant opportunities existed in the country and hard work always yielded results.
Responding to a question, the DGPR said modern technology should be used as a tool for convenience rather than becoming dependent on it. He urged participants to develop reading habits and demonstrate their love for the country through their actions. He also said the training material should be provided to participants before the commencement of the workshop.
Sharing his views on the workshop, DGPR Punjab Farid Ahmed congratulated Women Media Center Pakistan and said the team from Karachi had provided practical training to the young women participating in the programme.
During the workshop, special focus was placed on equipping women journalists and female media students with modern journalistic skills in line with the rapidly evolving media landscape. Participants received practical knowledge and essential skills on a range of important subjects, including the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, digital and online safety, ethical reporting, fact-checking and inclusive journalism.
Certificates were distributed among the participants at the conclusion of the programme.