PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday stressed the need for women to engage in business activities by leveraging modern technology to contribute to the country’s economic growth and prosperity.

He suggested that increasing access to better education and training institutions for women could gradually enhance their presence in various professional sectors.

“By engaging in business activities, Pakistani women cannot only meet their own and their families’ financial needs but can also generate substantial foreign exchange for the country through global trade,” Mr Kundi said while addressing a Women’s Achievement Award ceremony organised by the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Governor’s House here.

MPA Jalal Khan, UNHCR Regional Head Kofi Ohenenana Dwomo, Hashoo Foundation chief executive officer Haris Qayum Khan, president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Faud Ishaq, Businessman Forum leader Ghazanfar Bilour, president of Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Azra Jamshed, vice-president Aneela Khalid, representatives from Smeda and a large number of female professionals were in attendance.

On the occasion, 35 women were honoured with the Women’s Achievement Award for their outstanding contributions, including notable industrialists Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, Fitrat Ilyas Bilour and Faud Ishaq from the SCCI.

Governor Kundi congratulated the recipients of the award and reaffirmed the Pakistan Peoples Party’s commitment to honouring women and ensuring their participation at every level to make them valuable and active members of society.

He noted that Pakistani women were rapidly advancing in IT, fashion, education, online business and other sectors, thereby enhancing the country’s global standing. He highlighted the numerous opportunities available for women in small and medium-sized businesses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the significant role played by the women’s chamber of commerce in the promotion of women’s entrepreneurship.

The governor also said that though Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had not previously received its share in water distribution, the federal government had now allocated Rs19 billion for the execution of the Chashma Lift Canal project.

He encouraged the business community to participate in an upcoming business exhibition in Tajikistan, which offered substantial opportunities in the textile sector.

Mr Kundi hoped that the UNHCR and the Hashoo Foundation would continue to support the terrorism-hit business community in the province.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2024