Contributions of women on duty, at households and of martyrs’ families greatly valued: COAS

ISLAMABAD: Army Chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa lauded the contributions of women on duty in uniform, at households and the ones of martyrs’ families on International Women's Day.

The head of the military's media wing, Major General Asif Ghafoor quoted the army chief as saying, "“Contributions of women on duty in uniform, at household and especially the ones of martyrs’ families are greatly valued."

"The great Pakistani women have a role and responsibility towards progress of Pakistan," the army chief further said.

Several, including Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, have also tweeted messages on Women's Day.

Prime Minister Imran Khan reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensuring women a secure and enabling environment for their rightful role in the nation's development. The premier took to Twitter and said, "On Women's Day, we pay tribute to Fatima Jinnah who stood steadfastly beside the Quaid in his struggle for Pakistan."

"We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring women a secure and enabling environment to play their rightful role in our nation's development," he added.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly and PML-N lPresident Shehbaz Sharif has said the women of Pakistan have come a long but more needs to be accomplished and soon.

“A day to celebrate and honour the incredible work our women are doing to strengthen their families, communities and the country. The women of Pakistan have come a long way off but a lot needs to be accomplished and soon,” Shehbaz said.

“Satisfied that the government under the PML-N introduced massive reforms for women empowerment. Our commitment to the women empowerment agenda is absolute and will continue to uphold it,” he added. 

While Bilawal paid tribute to his mother and said, "I pay tribute to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. First female PM in the Muslim world. Who battled extremism, authoritarianism and patriarchy for 30yrs of political life. We will build a progressive Pakistan, a feminist Pakistan and a Benazir Pakistan in her memory.

International Women's Day is observed across the world on March 8.

In Pakistan, the Aurat March 2019 is set to take place in all major cities to coincide with and commemorate the International Women's Day.