pwpa approves key
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PWPA approves key reforms to strengthen women&#821…

ByJustpaste.in

Lahore: The 5th meeting of the Board of the Punjab Women Protection Authority (PWPA) was held under the chairpersonship of Ms. Hina Pervaiz Butt, where members reviewed the Authority’s performance and approved a series of important policy and administrative measures aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and expanding protection services for women across Punjab.

The Board reviewed the implementation status of decisions taken during its previous meeting and expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved. Members emphasized the importance of further strengthening the Authority to ensure accessible, effective and survivor-centred services for women throughout the province.

The Board approved the revised organizational structure of PWPA and stressed the need for the early filling of vacant positions to enhance the Authority’s operational efficiency and institutional capacity.

The Board also approved the Punjab Women Protection Authority (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2026, including revised provisions relating to appointments and service matters, to establish a transparent and efficient human resource framework for the Authority.

It was further decided that the Punjab Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal Department will undertake development initiatives relating to the establishment of new PWPA facilities and infrastructure in coordination with the Authority.

Director General Punjab Women Protection Authority, Dr. Lubna Nazir, briefed the Board on the Authority’s recent achievements, including the digitization of case records, implementation of awareness campaigns, progress in service delivery, and the increasing number of registered cases being handled by PWPA. She also informed the Board that the Authority had received more than 3,000 applications for its Internship Programme, reflecting growing public confidence and youth engagement.

Dr. Lubna Nazir further informed the Board that the PWPA Helpline has been upgraded to a toll-free service (0800-01737) to make support services more accessible to women across Punjab.

During the meeting, Secretary Punjab Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal Department, Ms. Sara Omar, emphasized that every woman in Punjab who needs assistance should have access to PWPA’s services. She underlined that achieving this objective requires further strengthening the Authority through enhanced human resources, institutional development, and capacity building so that PWPA can effectively extend its outreach across the province.

The Board also appreciated the Authority’s growing collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), acknowledging its role as an important development partner supporting institutional strengthening and capacity-building initiatives.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson Hina Pervaiz Butt reaffirmed PWPA’s commitment to working in close coordination with all relevant government departments and partner organizations to further strengthen Punjab’s women protection system.

She stated that under the leadership and special focus of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Government of Punjab is committed to building strong and responsive institutions that provide timely protection, legal assistance, rehabilitation, psychosocial support, and other essential services to women across the province.

The Chairperson thanked all Board members for their valuable input and reiterated the Authority’s resolve to implement the Board’s decisions effectively to further strengthen the protection framework for women in Punjab.

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