International Women’s day is being celebrated across the world today (Friday) with plenty of special events being organised in Pakistan as well.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of women and recalled Pakistani women and their contributions towards the country.

“Islam has provided equal rights to women for 14 centuries. Today, every woman is an important part of the society,” Shehbaz said in his message on Women’s day.

“Today, I mark this day for different women who provided different contributions. Fatima Jinnah’s political vision, Begum Rana Liaquat Ali’s services towards the country, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s sacrifice, Kulsoom Nawaz’s democratic struggle, Mohatarma Bilquis Edhi’s contribution to providing medical services and Malala’s pursuit for girls’ education is to be remembered,” he added.

He also said that his government will prioritise providing rights to women. The Aurat March will be organised in three separate cities across Pakistan today.

The march in Islamabad has been given the theme ‘Resistance and Hope’ and will begin at the Press Club at 2pm.

In Lahore, the march will begin at 2pm from the Press Club and proceed to the Faletti’s hotel. Participants have been asked to wear red and balck for the march and have also been encouraged to bring palestine flags.

The ‘Aurat Ehtajaji Mela and March’ will be organised in Karachi where it will begin from Frere Hall at 2:30 pm. The march will end at Teen Talwar.

On the eve of women’s day, Women Democratic organised a Mashal March in Larkana, where scores of women marched with lanterns in their hands.