Rubina Khalid Inaugurates CCI Haripur Building, Stresses Economic Independence for Women
Haripur – Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid, visited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Haripur, where she reviewed initiatives aimed at empowering women through skills training, employment opportunities, and access to global markets.
Upon her arrival, Senator Khalid was welcomed by President CCI Haripur Malik Umair Khalid, Executive Member Syed Ahmed Jan Sikandar, and other senior members of the Chamber. She also toured a Handicrafts Exhibition organized by the Chamber, where women entrepreneurs displayed a range of hand-crafted products, including garments and traditional handicrafts. The Chairperson praised the quality, creativity, and dedication evident in the women’s work.
Senator Khalid then attended the Sanf-e-Ahan Conference as Chief Guest. The conference focused on equipping women with modern technical skills and aligning their work with international standards to meet both national and global economic challenges.
In her address, the Chairperson emphasized the importance of value addition in products, including proper sizing, thoughtful color selection, improved packaging, and fair pricing, to enhance competitiveness. She encouraged women to adopt modern techniques, effectively use smartphones, and align their products with global market trends. Senator Khalid also urged the Chamber to conduct regular training workshops to strengthen women’s professional capacities.
Highlighting the Benazir Hunarmand Programme, she reiterated its guiding principle: “Skill is your asset,” aimed at promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship among women. She stressed that skilled women should receive fair compensation for their work and that monopolization of profits by intermediaries must be discouraged. She also called for Pakistan to compete with regional economies such as India across all sectors, not just in sports.
Senator Khalid underscored BISP’s core philosophy of dignity, empowerment, and economic independence for women, urging them to remain confident, resilient, and inspired by the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Certificates were distributed among women handicraft producers and office bearers of the Chamber, recognizing their contributions.
The Chairperson also inaugurated the new building of the CCI Haripur and commended the local business community for its role in promoting economic growth and generating employment in the region.
The event was attended by Director General KP BISP Alaf Jan Afridi, members of the BISP Benazir Hunarmand Programme team, President PPP Haripur Jahanzeb Khan, and party office bearers from Mansehra and Abbottabad.
