Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani on Wednesday said that Pakistan’s democratic strength, economic progress and social cohesion could not be fully realized unless women participated equally in shaping the country’s institutions, economy and future.
“If the country is to unlock its full economic potential, we must ensure that women are not only beneficiaries of development, but active drivers of it as entrepreneurs, professionals, policymakers, innovators and leaders,” the Acting President said while addressing the Pakistan Women Leadership and Policy Summit 2026, organized by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) at the ICCI building.
“It is a pleasure to join you at the Pakistan Women Leadership and Policy Summit 2026,” he said while commending the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and all partners for convening the important forum.
Gillani said the summit brought together two indispensable national priorities: women’s leadership and sound public policy.
He said women had remained pivotal to Pakistan’s national progress, from Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan and Begum Shaista Ikramullah to former Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the women CEOs and leaders participating in the summit.
“Shaheed Mohtarma occupies a particularly historic place in this journey. Being the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority country, she broke barriers that had long appeared impossible to overcome. Her legacy continues to inspire women to enter public life, lead institutions and contribute to national decision-making,” he said.
The Acting President said that the real measure of Pakistan’s progress would be whether a woman, regardless of her background or region, had equal access to education, finance, technology, markets and decision-making. “The challenge before us is therefore not whether women can lead, but whether we are prepared to create the systems that allow them to lead, succeed and shape Pakistan’s future,” he said.
Gillani said that through concrete policy and legislative measures and institutional reforms, his government had laid down a firm legal and policy foundation to ensure the protection, betterment and socio-economic and political empowerment of women.
He said the sound legal edifice created during that period addressed key areas including protection of women against harassment at the workplace, acid violence, forced marriages and vani. The government also declared December 22 as Working Women’s Day, acknowledging that Pakistan’s economic, social and democratic vitality rested substantially on the contribution of its women.
