Pakistan to Host OIC Women's Ministerial Conference

Islamabad welcomes delegations ahead of the 9th OIC Women's Ministerial Conference on July 12-13. Pakistan chairs and leads consensus-building on socio-economic and political empowerment of women across OIC states. Two-day moot to focus on socio-economic and political empowerment of women across OIC member states Pakistan to chair conference, lead consensus-building on women's rights and development agenda Ministers, senior officials and international organisations to deliberate on challenges and way forward ISLAMABAD: Islamabad is all set to host the 9th Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) from Sunday, as delegations from across the Muslim world began arriving in the federal capital ahead of the two-day high-level meeting aimed at advancing the socio-economic and political empowerment of women in OIC member states. The conference, scheduled for July 12-13 under the theme 'Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward,' is being organised by the Ministry of Human Rights at the Jinnah Convention Centre. The gathering will bring together ministers responsible for women and family affairs, senior government officials, representatives of OIC institutions, international organisations and development partners to deliberate on advancing the socio-economic and political empowerment of women across OIC member states, state-run APP reported. PAKISTAN WILL LEAD THE CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar will chair the conference on behalf of Pakistan. As chair of the ministerial meeting, Pakistan will lead the conference proceedings and work closely with OIC member states to promote dialogue, build consensus and advance collective efforts towards the empowerment of women across the Muslim world, satte-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. It said that Pakistan's hosting of the conference reflected its 'steadfast commitment' to the objectives of the OIC and to strengthening cooperation among member states in promoting women's rights, dignity and empowerment. Over the next two days, participating delegations will engage in high-level discussions to review progress, exchange experiences and best practices, and identify practical pathways for enhancing the socio-economic and political empowerment of women throughout the OIC. In a post on X on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar extended a 'warm welcome' to the visiting delegates and wished them 'productive discussions and a memorable stay.' Warm welcome to all delegates arriving for the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women in Islamabad. We wish you productive discussions & a memorable stay in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/LpkSKrhHrq — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 11, 2026 He also shared an image highlighting that representatives from 57 OIC member states would gather in Islamabad for the conference. Several visiting delegations were received at Islamabad International Airport by Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Saba Sadiq, and Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice Farah Naz Akbar. Senior officials from the ministries of human rights and foreign affairs, along with other government representatives, were also present to welcome the guests. According to posts on X by the Ministry of Human Rights, participants include Saudi Arabia's Family Affairs Council Secretary General Dr Maimoonah Khalil Alkhalil, Egypt's National Council for Women President Amal Ammar, Bangladesh's Women and Children Affairs Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain, and Iraq's Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Dr Zainab Al-Mulla Al-Sultani. Other delegates include Libya's Minister of State for Women's Affairs Grebe Randa, Yemen's Minister for Women's Affairs Dr Ahed Mohammed Jassous, Nigeria's Minister for Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Somalia's Minister for Family and Human Rights Development Khadija Makhzoumi, and Mauritania's Ministry of Social Affairs Secretary General Hamoudi Cheikhna Ali. Pakistan ranked 148th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, recording 56.7 per cent gender parity, its highest level since 2006. Where are the Decisions Made that Empower Women and Support their Progress? We'll take you on a quick and concise tour to introduce you to the history of the Ministerial Meetings on Women, their key sessions, and the most notable cities that have hosted them. Watch the… pic.twitter.com/HsH07zWZti — OIC (@OIC_OCI) July 9, 2026 The latest ranking represented the second consecutive decline from the country's best score of 57.7 per cent, achieved in 2023. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), women in wage employment in Pakistan earn approximately 30 per cent lower monthly wages than their male counterparts.