Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has termed inclusion of women in all sectors as imperative for country's rapid progress. 

Addressing an event in Islamabad on Thursday, he said gender disparity is an economic and social challenge. He regretted that women were still deprived of their rightful role.

Ahsan Iqbal said the Ministry of Planning and Development has started many initiatives under different development programs for women empowerment.

He said a gender unit has been established at Ministry of Planning to sensitize the issue, which will ensure women empowerment in all developing projects.

The Minister said government is also starting an innovation fund to recognize young women entrepreneurs and the government will provide seed money to such entrepreneurs.

Ahsan Iqbal also reiterated government's resolve to turn around country's economy.

He said prevailing crisis in a country also provides an opportunity to learn from our previous mistakes and start a new journey towards development.