ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro has said that women constituting half of the country’s population have been given adequate representation in the political process for the country’s socio-economic progress.

He was talking to the students of Kennedy School of Government Harvard University, USA, who called on him here. Replying to various questions by the students, the chairman Senate said that seats have been reserved for women in the national, provincial and district assemblies.

Mr Soomro said things are moving in the right direction and women are being engaged in the economic development of the country particularly by availing micro-credit schemes.

With regard to the development work being done in Balochistan, Mr Soomro said the government has initiated mega projects in the province.

Chairman Soomro lauded the efforts of sub-committees of the Parliamentary Committee constituted for resolving political and administrative issues of the province.

He informed that the government has also initiated various development activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). A big network of construction of schools, hospitals and provision of other basic facilities would bring these areas at par with the developed parts of the country, he said.

Mr Soomro said that the media is free and playing an effective role in creating awareness among the masses at the grassroots level.

The chairman informed the students about the working, role and composition of the Upper House and the electoral process adopted for the election of members of the Senate.

The students appreciated the steps taken by the government for the protection of women’s rights.

Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Education, Science and Technology Razina Alam Khan was also present on the occasion.—APP