MULTAN  –  Punjab Parliamentary Secretary Sadia Taimoor on Wednesday distributed diplomas and certificates among more than 600 women at the Multan Arts Council, enabling them to join the professional workforce and earn livelihoods under the provincial government’s women empowerment initiatives. The ceremony was organized by the Women Development Department under the “Strong Women, Strong Punjab” programme of Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Speaking on the occasion, Sadia Taimoor said 67 projects had been launched over the past two years for women’s development and empowerment, adding that these initiatives were now producing tangible outcomes. She said over 600 women in Multan alone had been equipped with skills and added to the workforce, allowing them to become financially independent. She said empowering women remained a top priority of the provincial government, adding that Multan known as the City of Saints was emerging as a center of skill development and knowledge. Highlighting ongoing initiatives, she referred to the Chief Minister Sahar Programme and the Female Ambassador Programme. Officials said the ambassador initiative, launched by the Women Development Department, aims to empower female university students through training, mentorship and leadership opportunities, offering a monthly stipend of Rs20,000 alongwith certification. The Sahar programme provides training in digital skills, beautician courses and food related fields. Responding to opposition criticism, Sadia Taimoor said detractors should observe the transformation being brought about through women-focused initiatives in the province. She also lauded Women Development Department Secretary Suman Rai for her role in advancing empowerment programme. Women who received certificates expressed gratitude to the provincial government, saying the training had enabled them to become self-reliant. The ceremony was attended by vice chancellors of universities, former MNA Sheikh Tariq Rasheed, MPAs Haji Javed Ansari, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Nauman Siddiq, Secretary Women Development Suman Rai and others.