The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority to hold an International Women Entrepreneurship Day event that brought together industry leaders, government representatives and business chamber officials to discuss empowering women in business.
Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industry, attended the ceremony alongside Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of FPCCI, and senior SMEDA officials. The gathering also included FPCCI Vice President Quratulain, Tariq Jadoon, Chairman Capital Office Kareem Aziz Malik, and Chairman Coordination and President Hafizabad Chamber Malik Sohail Hussain, among others.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said women are not only participants in the economic landscape but the driving force behind innovation and sustainable development. He praised the vision and support of Haroon Akhtar Khan for encouraging SMEs and enabling women to take leadership roles. Sheikh paid tribute to the services of Vice President Quratulain and stressed that Pakistan cannot advance while half its population remains behind, noting that the country’s future and sustainable growth depend on active female participation.
Sheikh highlighted how women-led enterprises are transforming industries across Pakistan, creating jobs and building brands despite challenges, and reiterated FPCCI’s commitment, in partnership with SMEDA, to capacity building and training that supports Women Entrepreneurship.
SMEDA Chief Executive Ms Nadia told the audience that the government is determined to economically empower women through small and medium enterprises. She emphasized that access to finance and targeted skills development are key measures to make Women Entrepreneurship viable and sustainable across Pakistan.
In his remarks, Haroon Akhtar Khan said the federal government remains committed to resolving women’s issues and providing necessary facilities. He noted that the government is working through small enterprise programs to economically empower women, and reminded the audience that more than half of Pakistan’s population is female. Khan encouraged women to take an active role in the country’s economic development, citing examples of women working in major industries worldwide and urging similar momentum at home.
