Islam Grants Women an Honorable Status: Fasial Mumtaz Rathore

Muzaffarabad: Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, has stated that Islam accords women a high and dignified status and guarantees them comprehensive rights in society.
In a special message issued on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Prime Minister said that the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) clearly defined the rights and responsibilities of women and ensured their meaningful participation in various spheres of life. He noted that Islam granted women rightful shares in inheritance and emphasized their dignity, protection, and empowerment.
“Women play a vital role in the socio-economic development of any country,” the Prime Minister said, adding that Kashmiri women, while effectively managing their household responsibilities, are also making significant contributions to the economy and demonstrating their capabilities in every field of life.
He remarked that the life of Hazrat Fatima-tuz-Zahra (RA) serves as a timeless example and guiding light for Muslim women across the world.
Paying tribute to the late Begum Nusrat Bhutto, the Prime Minister acknowledged her historic role and sacrifices for the restoration of democracy during the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD). He also praised Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for her remarkable struggle for the rule of law, women’s empowerment, and the protection of fundamental rights.
The Prime Minister stated that the Azad Kashmir government is giving special attention to the welfare and development of women. “Women in Azad Kashmir enjoy full freedom to work in their chosen professions, and the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against harassment,” he said.
He further noted that several vocational training institutions have been established across Azad Jammu and Kashmir to provide women with technical and professional skills, enabling them to become economically independent and productive members of society.
In addition, women are being provided equal opportunities under the government’s interest-free loan schemes so they can start their own businesses and contribute to economic growth.
Referring to the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Prime Minister said that Kashmiri women continue to face systematic and widespread human rights violations, including sexual violence, enforced disappearances, torture, abductions, killings, and humiliation at the hands of Indian forces.
“Despite these grave hardships, Kashmiri women have demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, and determination,” he said.
Highlighting the plight of Kashmiri women activists, particularly Asiya Andrabi, who along with her associates continues to languish in Tihar Jail, the Prime Minister said that she will always be remembered as a symbol of resistance in the Kashmir freedom movement.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the brave Kashmiri women who sacrificed their sons, brothers, and husbands in the ongoing struggle for the right to self-determination.
He emphasized that women’s representation, equal rights, and justice are essential for building a progressive, inclusive, and balanced society. He added that International Women’s Day serves as an important reminder of the urgent need to safeguard women’s rights and prevent violence against women, particularly in conflict-affected regions.