First lady inaugurates facility to promote artisans' works, empower women.

ISLAMABAD -- First Lady Samina Alvi on Saturday inaugurated a facility here aimed at preserving and promoting Pakistan's rich cultural heritage and supporting the women artisans from various parts of the country.

The first lady inaugurated the new office of Indus Heritage Trust - a non-profit organisation engaged in preserving and promoting the country's heritage of arts and crafts while empowering the communities.

The facility marked the display of various women-created products including shirts, jackets, shawls, jewellery and bags besides homewares including embroidered cushions, mats and tea cozies.

The first lady took a round of the new office and appreciated the skills of the artisans which she believed would also help financially empower the women, particularly those living in the backward communities.

Supporting a network of around 5,000 women in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the IHT is working to enhance and strengthen the skills of artisans to help them create high-quality handcrafted products...