Emaan Ki Roshni | Dr. Shehla Javed Akram - Nutritionist | Exclusive interview with Aleena Khan

Dr. Shehla Javed Akram is one of the successful women entrepreneurs in Pakistan and has
more than half a dozen companies to her name. She became a pioneer in the field of healthcare
when she and her husband launched Pakistan’s first hospital for acute medical care. She then
broke into the traditionally male dominated pharmaceutical sector by setting up a pharmaceutical
industry. Most recently, she became the CEO of a real estate development company, JS
Developers. In the public sector Dr. Shehla struggled for seven years to get approval for
establishing separate Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan. This innovative
idea occurred after she won as executive member in LCCI election on open merit in year 2002
and became the first woman Executive Committee member of the Lahore Chamber of
Commerce and Industry After realizing that women entrepreneurs cannot excel in a male
dominant chamber mainly because of their own inhibitions and that women specific products
needed a more dedicated platform. Finally the national assembly passed the bill for addition in
SRO to allow Women Chambers at provincial/divisional/district levels and thus became the
founder president of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan. As a result
from a single seat representation in 2002 it has increased by 172% till to date with one seat
reserved for vice president FPCCI from Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This
increased representation has also encouraged policy makers to define better gender specific
policies to encourage women SME sector along with improved legislation for status of women.
Under her leadership Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry has become an internationally
recognized forum with ECOSOC, working actively for the promotion of women entrepreneurship
in Pakistan. She became the First Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of
Commerce and Industry. She also sits on the Board of Directors of PAMCO, SDC Punjab,
Member Board of Governor PMEIF, and Ambassador for International Women (OPS).
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