RAWALPINDI: Over 600 female students from Rawalpindi were given certifications for completing the ambassador programmes course at Women Business Incubation Centre (WBIC) and Skill Enhancement Through Home Reach (SEHR), and have acquired professional skills in digital skills, hospitality and beautician services.

PML-N MNA Tahira Aurangzeb, speaking at the event organised by the Women Development Department at Rawalpindi Arts Council, stated that Punjab government is working to empower women economically.

The provincial government was ensuring practical steps for the development and welfare of women. “Women were empowered once they get technical education. Only skilled women will become empowered women,” she said.

Parliamentary Secretary, Women Development Department (WDD), Sadia Taimur, while addressing the ceremony, said that the WDD Punjab was established in 2012 with the main objective of protecting women’s rights.

After assuming power, she said that the PML-N government launched several projects for the welfare of women. “A target of building 600 care centres with one billion rupees was set, out of which 365 were built. 80 female students from 40 universities of the province were made ambassadors,” she said.

She said that economically strong women are the backbone of the country’s economy. Under the CM Youth Pitch Program, 10 selected women will be given cheques of Rs1 million on May 19, with which they will be able to start their own businesses.

She further added that as many as 2,500 women will be associated with the textile industries by the end of this month to provide employment to rural, skilled women. Women are also being represented in the chambers of Punjab.

“The Punjab Business Exchange Program is being brought for women,” she said.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026