Preamble of the constitution supports democratic principles: Sajid Hussain Turi

Peshawar: Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi has said that the preamble of the constitution of Pakistan supports democratic principles and guarantees equal rights of all citizens as gender equality is a central component to development.

He said that empowering women and providing them with equal rights and opportunities is the manifesto of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) which we are implementing under the visionary leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

He said this while addressing the toolkit and certificate awarding ceremony to women graduates in Peshawar on Monday, in which he distributed certificates and toolkits to women who successfully completed vocational training.

The 45-day training was organized in collaboration with Overseas Pakistanis Foundation and GIZ. Senator Rubina Khalid and other political and social personalities also participated in the certificate distribution ceremony and addressed the ceremony. He appreciated the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and GIZ for conducting employable skill training for women.

Addressing the event, Federal Minister Sajid Hussain Turi said that he was happy to see that in less than two months, dozens of women were trained and provided with toolkits to lead a professional life and economically independent. He said that Pakistan People’s Party firmly believes in gender equality which can only be achieved if women and men are given equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities in all spheres of life.

Sajid Turi further said that Shaheed Ms. Benazir Bhutto is the first woman Prime Minister of the world of Islam who is a role model for all women of Pakistan.

The Federal Minister said that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development will extend the training sessions and programs to all provinces and districts of Pakistan with the support of GIZ, Provincial TEVTA and NAVTTC.

The Minister said that the government has set a target of manpower export of one million for the current year, adding that to tap new markets for manpower export, he had visited many countries including Romania, Portugal and Greece who had shown interest in importing manpower from Pakistan. He said that this month he will be visiting Middle East, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to explore employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.

He said that Malta, Poland, Hungary, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq had shown great interest to import manpower from Pakistan and MoUs were being signed with many of these countries in this regard. He said that Pakistani youth should avoid illegal immigration as such activity are not only dangerous but also bringing bad name to the country.

Federal Minister meanwhile paid a surprise visit to Protectorate of Emigrants Peshawar where he met the leading Overseas Employment Promoters and heard their problems. He said that all their problems shall be resolved and in case of any complaint they should directly contact him. He directed the officials that all those seeking immigration shall be fully facilitated and zero tolerance be shown for those involved in corrupt practices.