PESHAWAR, March 9: Speakers at a workshop here on Thursday demanded increased role of women in formulation of policies and the decision-making process. The workshop was organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in collaboration with the Chitral district government to observe the International Women’s Day.

Aga Khan Support Programme manager Ms Sultana in her speech highlighted the issues of women’s rights and their involvement in decision making. Poet Inayatullah Asir recited a poem on the plight of women in the district.

Maulana Khaliquzzaman said that Islam provided and safeguarded the rights of women. He lamented what he called a misconception that ulema were against modern education and development.

He said vested interests had disseminated this misinformation in order to create a misunderstanding between development organisations and religious institutions.