Pakistan to encourage women's cricket

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Islamabad, Jan 23 (: The women's cricket initiative would dispel the negative image of Pakistan, said a minister while inaugurating the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women Cricket Challenge Trophy.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan said Sunday while kicking off the event in Lahore that the initiative would help dispel the distorted and negative image of the country regarding women rights. She added that it would create a soft image of Pakistan internationally, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

The minister said the tournament was the first step towards economic empowerment of women in the country, adding that the role of more than 50 percent of the country was vital in achieving economic stability.

The country has an estimated population of 180 million.

She said women cricketers would serve as ambassadors of an enlightened, moderate and progressive country.