Islamabad— In a landmark development for women’s empowerment and social inclusion in Pakistan, Raiyatullah Khan, also known as Khan Baba and Chairman of the World Peace Jirga Program, has officially announced the launch of the Pakistan Women Peace Jirga Program. The program will be spearheaded by Saadia Khan, affectionately known as Khan Bibi, who has been appointed as the Chairperson for this nationwide initiative.
This program is being launched under Khan Bibi’s dynamic leadership and is set to become a milestone in empowering women, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring women’s effective participation in national development.
Formal Launch and National Seminar
The official announcement took place during a high-profile national seminar held on August 2, 2025, at Federal Lounge 1, Zarghoon Road, Quetta. The event was attended by a large number of women from diverse sectors across Balochistan, including civil society, NGOs, business, academia, and media.
Speakers at the seminar hailed the initiative as timely and vital, stating that the Women Peace Jirga Program would play a critical role in promoting peace, development, and inclusive leadership in Pakistan.
Nationwide Expansion of Jirga System
The World Peace Jirga Program has already established a widespread network of jirga systems and committees across all regions of Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The Women Peace Jirga will now serve as the next strategic expansion, with provincial members set to take their oaths at a national seminar and oath-taking ceremony in Islamabad at the National Library (near the Prime Minister’s House) in late August 2025.
The event will bring together representatives from federal ministries, foreign embassies, civil society organizations, and government departments to demonstrate nationwide support for the program.
Acknowledgment of Government Support
The World Peace Jirga Program expressed deep gratitude for the consistent support from the Government of Pakistan, particularly from Chief Secretaries, Home Secretaries, Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Inspectors General of Police, Deputy Inspectors General, Senior Superintendents of Police, and the Chief Minister of Balochistan.
A New Chapter in Women’s Leadership
The Women Peace Jirga Program aims to challenge the longstanding exclusion of women, particularly in provinces like Balochistan, from leadership and development opportunities. It seeks to provide a dignified platform where women can voice their concerns, propose solutions, and access financial autonomy, protection, and development funds.
Global Outreach and Donor Conferences
To further the program’s reach, the World Peace Jirga Program will soon host a series of international donor conferences in Islamabad, Iran, Dubai, Riyadh, Qatar, the UK, and the USA. The goal is to attract foreign donors and investors toward initiatives that uplift women and develop underserved regions like Balochistan.
A National Appeal for Support
Chairman Khan Baba and Chairperson Khan Bibi made a heartfelt appeal to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, President of Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff, Chief Ministers, Chief Secretaries, Corps Commanders, federal ministries, and district administrations to extend logistical support, security, and special development funding for the success of this transformative program.
They emphasized the importance of building a peaceful, empowered, and inclusive Pakistan, where women are not only leaders but also powerful agents of change.
