SWAT: A women’s chamber of commerce and industry has been established in Swat to provide female entrepreneurs a platform to participate in business, industrial and commercial activities.

The chamber’s office-bearers and executive members were elected during a ceremony on Monday, which was attended by women from different walks of life.

According to the election results, Rubina Zafar was elected president, Dr Yasmeen Gul senior vice-president and Dr Maria vice-president of the Swat Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Farzana Shams is the founder of the women’s chamber. The newly elected executive members include Farhana Shah, Maria Subhan, Haseena Bibi, Musarrat, Nusrat Iqbal, Shabana, Rubina, Iqbal Jahan, Bushra Ahmad, Zara Shah, Marvi Saraj, Saba and Sheeba.

Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected office-bearers and executive members said they would work to make the chamber an active platform for women entrepreneurs and raise issues confronting women in the business, industrial and commercial sectors with the relevant authorities.

They stressed the need for measures to enhance women’s economic participation and provide them greater access to business opportunities, guidance and markets.

The chamber leadership said women in Swat had considerable potential in entrepreneurship and other skills, but needed appropriate platforms and opportunities to turn their potential into sustainable economic activities.

The newly elected members pledged to promote greater representation of women in the industrial and business sectors and facilitate women-led businesses in the district.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026