Antalya, Turkiye : a member of Pakistani delegation Senator Nuzhat Sadiq adressed the Executive Council meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) in Antalya, Turkiye. The Senator addressed the participants, emphasizing the critical importance of establishing a Commission on Women within the APA framework.Senator Sadiq began her address by expressing gratitude to Turkiye for their hospitality and highlighted the significance of the Commission on Women in shaping the future of the APA. She asserted Pakistan’s full support for this initiative, recognizing its potential to guide the APA’s work towards achieving gender equality and empowering women.The Senator stressed the essential role of gender equality in societal progress, emphasizing that no society can attain high levels of development without the equal contribution of every individual, irrespective of gender. Addressing the deep-rooted discriminations faced by women in various spheres, Senator Sadiq urged the need to identify and rectify the underlying causes.Highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to women’s development, Senator Sadiq outlined key initiatives, such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), aimed at eradicating poverty and empowering women. She underscored the constitutional guarantees of equality and protection of women’s rights in Pakistan, noting the vibrant representation of women in parliamentary committees and the establishment of a cross-party Women’s Parliamentary Caucus.Senator Sadiq proudly noted Pakistan’s historical role in setting a positive example for women’s political participation in Muslim countries, citing the late Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as the first woman prime minister of a Muslim country in 1988.In conclusion, Senator Nuzhat Sadiq expressed Pakistan’s recognition of the vital role of women as agents of development. She looked forward to the establishment of the Commission on Women as a platform for enhanced interaction among APA women parliamentarians to collectively achieve shared targets and aspirations.The Pakistani delegation, led by Leader of the Opposition, Senator Dr. Shahzad Waseem, along with Senators Nuzhat Sadiq and Hilal Rehman, is actively participating in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) Executive Council Meeting in Antalya, Turkiye.