ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: Fatima Jinnah worked for political and social democracy as well as women’s rights and promotion of a conscientious civil society.

This was stated by Haris Gazdar in a lecture, first in a series of Madar-i-Millat lectures, organized by the women development ministry at a local hotel on Thursday.

The topic of the lecture was “Globalization and its effect on Pakistani Women”. The lecture series is being arranged in connection with the Madar-i-Millat Year celebrations.

Besides, Attiya Inayat Ullah, Mahnaz Rafi, several women MNAs and MPAs and representatives from the Islamic University attended the lecture.

In his lecture, Mr Harris said: “Fatima Jinnah was a pioneer of four movements. Right now, the international discourse is replete with a wave of unilateral military might. Therefore, as Pakistanis, we are going to face the same choices that were pertinent in the time of Fatima Jinnah.”

Suriya Khurshid, remembering Ms Jinnah: said: “She was an honest woman who condemned any kind of misuse of public exchequer. If we emulate her example, we can still save Pakistan from the morass it finds itself in economically. Therefore, the government functionaries must be careful while using official facilities to help Pakistan shake off the burden of debt servicing.”

Dr Shahid Amjad Chaudhry, director, Planning Commission of Pakistan, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said: In the realm of political and educational empowerment, we have taken the great leap forward, and I would like to take this opportunity to suggest that we join forces to reduce child mortality rate as well. We have the institutional framework and only need the political will to combat this menace.”