
Women's rally calls for protection of Sindh's rights
Working-class women held a rally to raise their voices against anti-people policies and for the protection of Sindh's rights. The rally, which began at the Youth Auditorium and ended at the Arts Council of Pakistan, drew large numbers of women, men, farmers and members of the transgender community from various regions.
The rally was led by Zehra Khan, General Secretary of the Home-Based Women Workers Federation, who chanted slogans against anti-Sindh water projects, land grabbing, and food crises.
Speaking on the occasion, Zahra Khan said that Sindh's civilisation is on the brink of destruction due to government policies, mentioning that issues such as climate change, floods, water resource exploitation, and the destruction of the Indus Delta threaten the lives and lands of millions of people in Sindh.
She further stated that these problems have forced millions of people in Sindh to migrate. The problem has also reduced crop yields, and triggered a food crisis. She appealed to progressive groups and forces in Punjab to raise their voices against their rulers in support of Sindh's rights and to stand together for Sindh's survival by resolving the issue of canals.
A large number of peasant farmers also joined the rally and expressed their support for Sindh's rights and condemned the canal policy of Punjab rulers.
Women empowerment govt's top priority
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has stressed that International Women's Day symbolises the ongoing struggle for equality, rights, and justice. In his message on the occasion, he paid tribute to the women of Sindh - mothers, sisters, and daughters - while reaffirming the provincial government's unwavering commitment to their empowerment across various sectors.
The chief minister highlighted that societal progress is unattainable without active female participation.
The CM reiterated that ensuring equal opportunities for women in education and healthcare remains a top priority for the PPP-led government. He acknowledged the pivotal role Pakistani women have played in national development and the democratic movement, recognising the historic contributions of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Begum Nusrat Bhutto, and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as enduring symbols of resilience and leadership.
Projects especially for women
Sindh Senior Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has said that women deserve all praise for playing a vital role in the development, stability, and prosperity of the country.
Under the historic policy of distributing land to landless farmers, women farmers are also being given land to become economically independent, the senior minister said.
He further mentioned that the Pink Bus Service has been launched to allow women to continue with their daily activities without any fear. Moreover, providing free EV scooters to deserving and hardworking women is also part of PPP government's historic programme.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan trade, investment forum held
Listen to article Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, President ECO-CCI, and VP CACCI, welcomed a high-profile Kyrgyz trade delegation to Pakistan. The visiting delegation included senior parliamentarians, diplomats, businessmen, and key stakeholders. The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) hosted the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Trade & Investment Forum at its head office in Karachi on Tuesday, amid growing interest from both countries' business communities, according to a statement. Sheikh expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the recent Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Inter-Governmental Commission, which agreed to increase bilateral trade from the current $16 million to $100 million. He noted that the present trade volume is well below the two countries' true potential. The chief guest, Edil Baisalove, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyz Republic, told Pakistani businessmen that Kyrgyzstan is undergoing rapid industrialisation. He said this presents numerous opportunities for joint ventures, investments, and trade cooperation between the two nations. Kylychbek Sultan, Kyrgyz Ambassador to Pakistan, said both countries are working to establish new trade routes to create a feasible and enabling environment for the bilateral trade to grow. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, stressed that the shortest route from Chinese city of Kashgar to Kyrgyzstan is about 200 km; and Pakistan is also linked with this province through CPEC; whereas two Kyrgyz passes of Torugart and Erkeshtam should be utilised for establishing linkages to the warm waters of Gwadar port. Magoon recommended holding reciprocal single-country exhibitions and regular trade delegation exchanges. He urged the immediate removal of non-tariff barriers (NTMs and NTBs) and closer coordination between FPCCI and Kyrgyzstan's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-KG).


Express Tribune
14 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Omar urges CJ to ensure 'fair May 9 trials'
Leader of Opposition Omar Ayub Khan has written a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, appealing to him to intervene to ensure fair trial of people adjudicated in anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) for their alleged roles in rioting after May 9, 2023 arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. In the four-page "appeal", the opposition leader, who belongs to the PTI, has highlighted the alleged irregularities happening during the May 9 trials. The ATCs are bound by the Supreme Court to conclude all these May 9 case proceedings by the first week of August. According to Omar, the integrity of Pakistan's judicial process is under grave threat as these trials, which are supposed to exemplify justice, have instead become a means of political persecution. "The ATCs in Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and other cities are hearing cases related to May 9 with a speed and manner that shock the conscience of any impartial observer. "Hearings commence early morning and extend late into the night; in fact, it is reliably reported that in some cases proceedings continue until 2:00 am to 3:00 am. "This is justice crushed and justice buried under the weight of exhaustion, coercion, and haste," he added. He stated that such a schedule was unprecedented in the annals of Pakistani jurisprudence as it disregarded the most basic principles of a fair trial, including the accused's right to a meaningful opportunity to prepare and present a defense, and the judiciary's solemn obligation to conduct trials with dignity, transparency, and impartiality. He also referred to the motto of the Supreme Court of Pakistan that justice must not only be done, it must manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done. He regretted that during the May 9 trials, this cardinal principle has been systematically violated. Omar claimed that the leadership, workers, and supporters of the PTI were wrongfully implicated through a process that appeared mala fide and politically motivated. Police reports and prosecutions lack credible evidence and are riddled with procedural irregularities, he added. He also narrated numerous instances of prosecutorial overreach and police misconduct, including the fabrication of FIRs, coercive interrogation tactics, and selective registration of cases against opposition figuresall undermining the rule of law and public confidence in the justice system. Referring to the right to counsel of choice, he said a fundamental right enshrined in Article 10A of the Constitution has been trampled. He said the ATCs frequently deny adjournments and, in many cases, threaten or proceed to appoint state counsels without the consent of the accused. "This practice not only breaches constitutional guarantees but also violates internationally recognized fair trial standards., including those set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 10) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 14), to which Pakistan is a party," he wrote. "If these trials are allowed to continue under current conditionshurried, secretive, and politically charged, the damage to Pakistan's judicial reputation and the people's trust will be irrevocable."


Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business Recorder
FPCCI welcomes high-level Kyrgyz trade delegation
KARACHI: Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI; President ECO-CCI and VP CACCI, has welcomed the high-profile Kyrgyz trade delegation in Pakistan; comprising of senior parliamentarians, diplomats, businessmen and other prominent stakeholders. It is pertinent to note that FPCCI organized Pakistan - Kyrgyzstan Trade & Investment Forum at its Head Office, Federation, Karachi, on Tuesday amidst increasing interest of trade & industry. Atif Ikram Sheikh expressed his satisfaction that the recently held inter-governmental commission between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan has decided to enhance bilateral trade from the current $16 million to $100 million; as the current level is way below the true potential. The chief guest of the forum was Edil Baisalove, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyz Republic. He apprised the Pakistani businessmen and industrialists that Kyrgyz Republic is undergoing rapid industrialization and it is opening up enormous avenues for joint ventures, investments, trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Kylychbek Sultan, Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic in Pakistan, informed that Pakistan and Kyrgyz Republic are working on establishing new trade routes to create a feasible and enabling environment for the bilateral trade to grow. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, stressed that the shortest route from Chinese city of Kashgar to Kyrgyzstan is about 200 km; and, Pakistan is also linked with this province through CPEC; whereas, two Kyrgyz passes of Torugart and Erkeshtam should be utilized for establishing linkages to the warm waters of Gwadar port. He maintained that single country exhibitions on reciprocal basis must be arranged to showcase the goods and services for trade along with frequent exchange of trade delegations. He called upon immediate removal of all trade barriers NTMs/NTBs to boost trade and commerce. Additionally, close coordination between national chambers i.e. FPCCI and CCI-KG is vital. Abdul Mohamin Khan, VP FPCCI & Regional Chairman for Sindh Region, presented Pakistan's case for ease of doing business in the country as the government has introduced several business-friendly reforms: (i) streamlined company registration and digital tax filing system (ii) 100% foreign ownership allowed in many sectors of Pakistan's economy (iii) Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with tax holidays, duty-free imports and simplified regulations have been set up. Aman Paracha, VP FPCCI, said that the apex will endeavour to materialize the points of discussion taken up in the trade & investment forum through follow-up with our counterpart chamber and stakeholders in the business community. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025