**Chairman Senate Stresses Education and Social Welfare to Combat Extremism at Inaugural Session of Women’s Institute in Bannu**
Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has underscored the need for a comprehensive national strategy targeting poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy, which he identified as the primary drivers of terrorism and extremism in Pakistan. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Senate for the newly established Kalam Bibi International Women Institute in Bannu, Gilani emphasized that empowering youth through education and opportunity is essential for the nation’s development and prosperity.
The session, held at Parliament House and presided over by Chairman Gilani on behalf of the President of Pakistan, drew attendance from Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, the institute’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Aurangzeb Khan, Member of National Assembly Shahida Akhtar Ali, Engineer Ahmad Khan Kundi, and several other senior officials.
Chairman Gilani welcomed the establishment of the Kalam Bibi International Women Institute, noting that the new institution will provide increased access to higher and professional education for women in the underdeveloped southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He praised all involved in setting up the institution and advocated for maximizing its facilities, stressing that education and health are deeply intertwined sectors that he personally prioritizes. Gilani further highlighted the need for active measures supporting women’s welfare and the inclusion of minorities within the national mainstream.
Addressing infrastructure needs, the Chairman directed the Higher Education Commission to expedite the provision of modern technology, internet connectivity, and other essential facilities at the Bannu institute, ensuring more effective academic operations. He pointed to the persistent developmental challenges in the southern districts of both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, suggesting that with the assistance of the Benazir Income Support Program, targeted centers could be established in marginalized areas to address local issues. He also noted his personal commitment to women’s empowerment, referencing his daughter’s service as a goodwill ambassador in this field.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, in his remarks, reaffirmed his party’s longstanding commitment to women’s education, expressing optimism that the new institute would help integrate the southern districts into the country’s socio-economic mainstream. He commended the support of HEC and called for ongoing modernization of campus facilities, greater utilization of technology, and scholarship opportunities for eligible women and girls to help eliminate regional inequalities.
Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Aurangzeb Khan provided an overview of the Kalam Bibi International Women Institute’s mission and challenges, emphasizing the barriers faced by women in the region seeking educational advancement. He explained that the institute’s establishment would unlock opportunities for women and outlined new academic programs and legal arrangements developed to support its objectives.
The event concluded with a collective call to prioritize educational investment and social empowerment initiatives, with all stakeholders expressing support for the new institute’s role in uplifting the region’s women and addressing broader socioeconomic challenges.
