Independence Day celebrated with call for change by ABP&AW

Rawalpindi:The Association of Business, Professional, and Agricultural Women (ABP&AW) hosted a poignant and inspiring event to commemorate Pakistan's 77th Independence Day with the theme ‘If I Want a Change, I Have to Change.’

Held at a local club with 50 esteemed guests in attendance, the event featured a line-up of prominent speakers who emphasised the significance of personal responsibility and transformation as key drivers of societal change.

Tahmeena Malik, President of ABP&AW, kicked off the event with a brief introduction to the organisation's impactful work. Highlighting the success of the Small Credit Scheme Project, Tahmeena shared impressive statistics: a total of 800 loans have been disbursed since the project's inception, with 670 loans successfully recovered.

The project, which began with its first loan disbursed on September 18, 1992, saw its latest disbursement on August 14, 2024, marking the culmination of over three decades of empowerment through financial assistance. With a prevailing recovery rate of 98%, the project stands as a testament to the organization's dedication to supporting women in business and agriculture. In addition to financial empowerment, ABP&AW also runs the Bookshaw Project, an initiative aimed at fostering a love of reading among underprivileged children.

Tahmeena recounted the success stories from their visits to schools where they conduct two-hour structured activities and distribute free books, instilling the habit of reading in young minds. She also shared personal anecdotes illustrating how individual actions can spark broader change. She spoke of small yet significant acts, such as asking children to stop littering, discouraging the practice of giving gift bags that place undue pressure on guests, and eliminating the tradition of serving tea at banks. These examples underscored the theme of the event, reinforcing the message that change begins with individual behavior.

Following her speech, Samina Rizwan addressed the audience, stressing the importance of empirical evidence and statistics in driving progress. She emphasized that women are the future "Change Makers of Pakistan," highlighting their critical role in the nation's development.

Brigadier Naila Azam continued the conversation by discussing the need for a change in personal attitudes and lifestyles. She called for enhanced human connections and the need to address the country's population explosion as essential components of national progress. Dr. Farukh Hassan followed with a talk on the importance of role modelling and leading by personal example. She urged attendees to embody the values they wish to see in society, emphasizing that true change starts with oneself.

The event concluded with remarks from Ex Rector COMSATS Junaid Zaidi, who spoke passionately about the need to uphold merit in admissions and results, and the importance of not using personal contacts to secure jobs. Mr. Zaidi's words served as a powerful reminder that integrity and fairness are crucial in building a just society. The Independence Day event by ABP&AW was a call to action for all Pakistanis to reflect on their roles in shaping the nation's future. By embracing the theme "If I Want a Change, I Have to Change," the event highlighted the power of individual actions in driving collective progress.