Islamabad, March 7, 2026 – The Gulf Observer: The 9th Meeting of the Working Council of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) of the National Assembly of Pakistan was held virtually under the leadership of Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Secretary of the WPC, according to the Global News Pakistan.
The meeting brought together women parliamentarians from Pakistan and Turkmenistan to discuss the evolving role of women legislators in national parliaments and to exchange experiences related to the protection of women’s rights and promotion of family values.
From Pakistan, members of the WPC Working Council who participated in the meeting included Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Secretary WPC; Ms. Shahida Begum, Treasurer WPC; Syeda Shehla Raza, Member of the National Assembly (MNA); Ms. Munaza Hassan, MNA; Ms. Naeema Kishwar Khan, MNA; and Dr. Zarqa Suharwardhy Taimur, Senator.
The Turkmenistan delegation comprised Ms. Bayramgozel Myradova, Chairperson of the Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Youth Policy of the Parliament of Turkmenistan; Ms. Hatycha Mustakova, Member of the same committee; Ms. Mengli Diwanova, Member of the Committee for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms; Ms. Jenet Owekova, Member of the Committee on Legality; Ms. Jeren Geldiyeva, Member of the Committee on Social Policy; Ms. Enejan Atayeva, Member of the Committee on International and Interparliamentary Relations; Ms. Chemen Rejepova, Member of the Committee on Work with Local Representative Authorities and Self-Government Bodies; and Ms. Jahangul Myradova, Specialist of the Committee for Environmental Protection, Use of Natural Resources and Agro-Industrial Complex of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.
The meeting was also attended by Dr. Faryal Leghari, Ambassador of Pakistan, and Mr. Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan, reflecting the growing parliamentary and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.
During the discussions, the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of Pakistan shared its institutional experience and best practices in promoting women’s participation in parliamentary processes. Participants were briefed on the structure, mandate and achievements of the WPC, as well as the role of national and provincial women’s parliamentary caucuses as cross-party platforms that support gender-sensitive legislation and policy dialogue.
Established in 2008 through a resolution of the National Assembly, the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus of Pakistan aims to enhance women’s participation in parliamentary affairs and strengthen gender-responsive legislation.
During the meeting, the Pakistani side also proposed that Turkmenistan consider establishing a Women’s Parliamentary Caucus within its parliament, noting that such a platform could help strengthen cooperation among women legislators and promote gender-sensitive policymaking.
The WPC further invited women parliamentarians from Turkmenistan to visit Pakistan and observe the working of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, particularly during the upcoming visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Pakistan.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation among women parliamentarians and advancing initiatives aimed at protecting women’s rights and promoting family values through parliamentary collaboration and legislative engagement.
