Endowment fund being set up for high achievers

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced the establishment of Pakistan Education Endowment Fund to enable high achievers to continue their studies regardless of financial constraints.

Addressing an event in connection with International Women Day in Islamabad, he said all resources will be utilized in collaboration with the provinces for this purpose. He said our women do not lag behind others and they are contributing significantly in different walks of life. He also said that a monitoring cell would be set up at the PM office to check violence against women.

A complete mechanism will be put in place at the earliest to ensure dignity and honour of women, he adedd. He said education will be provided to the youth in various fields, especially information technology and vocational training.

PML-N leader Shaza Fatima said the government will ensure at least 33 per cent participation of women in public sector and it will be mandatory to include one woman at least in all selection committees. She said women will also enjoy three-year relaxation in all jobs and establishment of daycare centers in all public offices will also be ensured.

She said only 50 per cent of women have mobile phones so the government was striving to end the gender digital divide. On the directives of the prime minister, she said, private sector will be encouraged to provide women boarding and transportation facilities under the voucher scheme. She said working women endowment fund will be established with Rs500 million rupees to facilitate institutions to make daycare centers.

The PML-N leader said the government was looking for amendments in the clause in order to extend the maternity and paternity leave in case of the premature birth or any mishaps.