DERA GHAZI KHAN: The newly elected office-bearers of the Dera Ghazi Khan Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DGKWCCI) took oath of office at the Annual General Meeting and pledged to promote women entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in South Punjab.
Naila Atif assumed the office of President, while Dr. Mosarat Mumtaz was elected Senior Vice President and Dr. Najma Shaheen Khosa Vice President for the 2026–2028 term. Members of the newly elected Executive Committee also took their oaths.
Speaking on the occasion, President Naila Atif paid tribute to Founder DGKWCCI Farah Bashir, acknowledging her continuous efforts since the Chamber’s inception. She said that Farah Bashir’s contribution had remained consistent from the beginning to the present stage, and the new leadership would be pleased to work alongside her and benefit from her experience and vision in taking the Chamber’s work further.
Naila Atif said the Chamber would also give special focus to women in rural and underserved areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, where many competent women are already engaged in home-based businesses and traditional skills. She appreciated Farah Bashir’s efforts in establishing a skills institute to help rural women develop skills and earn from home.
She further highlighted Farah Bashir’s efforts to create international and institutional linkages for women entrepreneurs, including initiatives to promote local handicrafts in Saudi Arabia and collaborations through MoUs with Brooklyn Chamber, Ghazi University, Arts Council and Chinese partners. She said Farah Bashir’s continued presence and guidance would be a matter of pride for the Chamber, and the new leadership looked forward to working with her to create further opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Dr. Mosarat Mumtaz also praised Founder DGKWCCI Farah Bashir, saying that it was a matter of happiness and pride that such an active, courageous and educated woman had established an important platform for Dera Ghazi Khan. She said Farah Bashir was doing commendable work for the empowerment of the people and women of the district, and assured her that the Chamber stood firmly with her and would continue to support her efforts.
Dr. Najma Shaheen Khosa said that she and other members had stood with Farah Bashir from the very beginning and would continue to do so. She said they were fully aware of the valuable work being carried out by Farah Bashir, who visited villages and families across Dera Ghazi Khan, encouraged women to participate in economic activities and helped them start small businesses. She described it as a matter of pride for the district that a woman was working in this manner to bring families into the economic mainstream and assured Farah Bashir of their continued support.
The new leadership pledged to focus on skills development, access to finance, exhibitions, market linkages and opportunities for women-led businesses, particularly home-based and small enterprises.
Outgoing President Noor ul Saba thanked the members for their support during her two-year tenure and said the journey had provided valuable opportunities to learn, work together and support women entrepreneurs. She expressed her commitment to continuing her contribution to the Chamber’s mission.
The members also acknowledged the pioneering role of Founder DGKWCCI Farah Bashir, whose vision and sustained efforts helped establish and develop the Chamber as a platform for women entrepreneurs in Dera Ghazi Khan. Her initiatives have focused on bringing rural and home-based women into the economic mainstream and connecting their skills and products with wider markets.
The newly elected leadership vowed to carry forward the Chamber’s mission with renewed energy and create greater economic opportunities for women across Dera Ghazi Khan and the wider South Punjab region.