Islamabad seeks fair share in NFC

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Sardar Tahir Mehmood has demanded a reasonable share for the capital in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, arguing that the city should not remain deprived of its due fiscal resources while facing increasing demands for infrastructure and municipal services.

Speaking at the Pakistan Women Leadership & Policy Summit 2026, Mehmood said the capital's financial constraints were affecting its development and that a fair fiscal mechanism was essential to address growing urban needs.

Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, addressing the summit, said Pakistan's democratic strength, economic progress and social cohesion cannot be fully realised unless women participate equally in shaping the country's institutions, economy and future.

He said women's participation in leadership and decision-making was essential for building an inclusive and progressive society. He emphasised that women should have meaningful opportunities to contribute to public institutions, economic activity and national policymaking.

Gillani called for policies that create an enabling environment for women to advance in entrepreneurship, employment, education, technology and public life. He said Pakistan must continue removing barriers that prevent women from realising their full potential.

He said empowering women was not simply a matter of equality but an important driver of economic growth and national development.

Mehmood stressed that women's leadership was no longer merely a matter of social inclusion but a strategic necessity for Pakistan's economic transformation. He said Pakistan could not achieve sustainable and inclusive growth by leaving a significant portion of its human capital underutilised.