KARACHI, March 6: Salvation of women lies in empowering them economically as the present crisis-like situation faced by the country can be overcome only by improving the status of women as their overwhelming number is not accorded due status.

This was stated by women speakers at a seminar for journalists “not forgetting Pakistani women’s achievements” held on Thursday at the Pakistan Press Foundation at its Vicky Zeitlin Library.

Shamim Kazmi, President, Association of Business, Professional and Agriculture Women, said that for working women job satisfaction and commitment to their cause is inevitable.

She emphasized the need for treating women in Pakistan in a respectable manner.

Sister Ruth Lewis, in charge Darul Sakoon, said that her organization had been serving for the cause of mentally handicapped segment of the society who are provided shelter.

Presently 150 handicapped people live in Darul Sakoon’s main centre in Kashmir Road and its five sub-centres, four in Karachi and one in Lahore, are providing shelter to 30 handicapped people each.

Dr. Shahida Kazi said that women in Pakistan have made deep inroads in the electronic and print media as their overwhelming number can be witnessed making their presence felt through their outstanding performances which has also proved to source of encouragement for others to tread the same line.

However, she pointed out that generally women, owing to number of restraints and compulsions are reluctant to join reporting side as they prefer to work on desks in print media.

She underscored the exigency that more women should join this specific field as it provides them ample opportunities to exhibit their talent and in realization of their set objectives while maintaining their dignity and prestige.

MPA Fariha Haroon Razzak informed the gathering that in view of increasing number of incidents of honour killings in Sindh which is claiming thousands of lives annually, 29 women MPAs have decided to present a bill against the centuries-old heinous tradition in the next session.

“It is a cruel and ruthless custom which is claiming lives of innocent women and it is quite ironic that male MPAs are expressing their reluctance to support this motion.

PPF director Samina Ishaq and chief editor PPI Fazal Qureshi also spoke.—PPI