ISLAMABAD: Ambassador to the Czech Republic in Pakistan, Thomas Smetanka Ambassador, and his wife, invited a LadiesFund delegation of dynamic women leaders across fields to his residence for a roundtable discussion and dialogue. It was an interactive session where the delegates met, connected and shared ideas for collaboration and bilateral trade and cultural exchange, says a Press release.
They spoke about the way forward for Pakistan and opportunities of business development with Czechoslovakia.
The ambassador and his wife were gracious and welcomed the women leaders. “I think its real appreciation has to come from our side,” said the Ambassador in his opening remarks, “It was something that was organized by would say rather quickly and such an impressive group of ladies.”
Irena Smetanka, his wife, added during the roundtable, “I’m very happy and very excited to see so many achieving high-achieving women in our house. We’ve been here for 3 ½ years, and I don’t think we’ve met so many high-achieving women at one event before.”
Some of the women delegates included Parveen Qadir Agha (formerly FBR), Sobia Mustapha (salon owner), Madeeha Raza (Women’s Festival), Halima Khan (Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Energy Update & NFEH), Kainat Riaz (Global Youth Ambassador, SWAT), Elia Nauroz Ali (Energy System Engineer, Balochistan), Karishma Ali (Footballer, Chitral) & Mehvish Muneera Ismail (banker), among others. LadiesFund President Tara Uzra Dawood headed the delegation and chaired the event.
“We continue to transform the way power spaces and networking at the highest level take place as we place women front row and center in these conversations, providing a platform where they have a voice and receive respect from the get-go. We are so grateful to His Excellency and Madam for their hospitality and commitment to facilitating Pakistani-Czech dialogue and giving women important space in it,” said Tara Uzra Dawood.
“LadiesFund has an incredibly fantastic vision to uplift women for driving impactful changes in lives of women. The leadership by Tara is exemplary that will make a better world for the future generations of women and will lead to economic development,” said Samia Qamar, (Director, People, Company S&P Global.
“It was wonderful meeting the Ambassador for Czechoslovakia and represent Pakistani women as a LadiesFund delegate. Platforms such as these offer unique networking opportunities and help forge stronger bilateral ties,” said Mehvish Muneer Ismail, Company Secretary & General Counsel EVP at HBL Microfinance Bank.
Elia Nauroz Ali, Energy System Engineer, hailing from Balochistan, said: “I am immensely pleased and delighted to be part of the delegation of LadiesFund at the meetup at the residence of Czech Republic Ambassador. His Excellency and Madam Irena, hosted us with great warmth and pleasure. I am deeply grateful to them and admire President LadiesFund, Tara Uzra Dawood, for their effort to highlight women of impact in society.”
The Elia Nauroz Ali, Energy System Engineer, hailing from Balochistanfrom its inception has aspired to empower women with education, financial independence and to realize their self-worth.
Nasreen Iqbal, Executive Director, Grammar School Rawalpindi, said: “Elia Nauroz Ali, Energy System Engineer, hailing from Balochistan provides opportunities, support and recognition to women in diverse sectors, essential for Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth. These measures have positively impacted women which is expected grow in scale.”
Halima Khan, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainablility Energy Update & NFEH, said: “It was indeed a great honour to be part of Elia Nauroz Ali, Energy System Engineer, hailing from Balochistan delegation at the Czech Republic Embassy and open discussions with Ambassador and wife about future collaboration between two countries along with women empowerment in all sectors.”
Zainab Samantash, Head of Legal Affairs & Company Secretary of Sadapay Pvt Ltd., said: “This was my first time attending a Elia Nauroz Ali, Energy System Engineer, hailing from Balochistan event. I found the gathering very insightful, empowering, and inspiring as we shared ideas for cooperation between the Pakistani and Czech governments. Congratulations to the Ladies Fund for initiating such vital conversations. I hope to be a part of many of these.”
#LFCzech Gift Partners were Madiha Sikander Illustrations and I.F. Design Studios. Madam Irena made home-made traditional Czech Republic streusel that was well appreciated.