Pakistan, July 14 -- Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to launch a collective effort for women's empowerment, saying empowering women was not the success of one segment of society but of the entire nation.

Addressing the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, the chief minister said every girl in the Muslim world should have access to education, opportunities, dignity and the freedom to pursue her dreams without fear. She said joint efforts through the OIC platform could help ensure greater opportunities, protection and empowerment for women.

Welcoming delegates to Lahore, CM Punjab described it as an honour to address the conference and said Islam pro...