During her visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Lt Gen (Retd) Nigar Johar underscored the critical contribution of women to Pakistan’s economic development. Speaking with ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, she emphasized the need to empower women, who make up nearly half of the population, to ensure their meaningful participation in the country’s economic progress. According to a press release issued on Sunday, Dr. Johar stated, “Pakistan cannot afford to overlook the potential of its women who are determined to serve the nation. Empowering them is essential for the country’s economic wellbeing.”
Dr. Johar called for inclusive economic policies and greater involvement of women across all sectors, asserting that their empowerment is fundamental to building a robust economy. She also stressed the importance of strengthening the connection between academia and industry, pointing out that education should align with business and industrial needs. This approach, she explained, would help students transition from job seekers to entrepreneurs. “Our youth must be equipped to become job creators, contributing to economic growth rather than depending solely on traditional employment,” she added.
ICCI President Nasir Mansoor Qureshi welcomed Dr. Johar’s visit, commending her as an inspirational figure for women nationwide. He shared the Chamber’s ongoing initiatives to support youth and women empowerment, including facilitating partnerships between academia and industry and creating support systems for the business community. Qureshi emphasized the need to harness the potential of youth, particularly in rural areas, to help achieve Pakistan’s economic objectives.
Highlighting ICCI’s collaborations with universities, Qureshi revealed that the Chamber is signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to foster youth entrepreneurship and skill development. He proposed revising university curricula to allow students to spend their final semesters gaining hands-on experience in industries, preparing them to become future entrepreneurs.
Executive Member Fatima Azeem and Special Advisor to the ICCI President Naeem Siddiqui also highlighted the importance of equipping youth with practical skills to enhance their workforce readiness and contribute effectively to national progress. Shumila Siddiqui, another ICCI Executive Member, joined other women entrepreneurs from Islamabad in discussing the challenges and opportunities for women in business.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to fostering economic growth through inclusive policies, stronger academia-industry partnerships, and initiatives to empower women and youth. Dr. Johar’s visit reinforced the message that women’s empowerment and youth development are indispensable for Pakistan’s sustainable progress and long-term prosperity.
