LAHORE, April 18, 2026 – The Global Compact Network Pakistan (GCNP), in collaboration with Packages Limited, hosted an event to mark the conclusion of the Target Gender Equality (TGE) Accelerator 2025 and celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026. Under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action.,” the gathering brought together corporate leaders to discuss accelerating gender equality within the Pakistani business landscape.
The TGE Journey: From Commitment to Progress
The TGE Accelerator is a flagship initiative of the UN Global Compact designed to mobilize businesses to turn sustainability ambitions into measurable action.
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The Program: Led by Ms. Sabahat Bukhari (CEO of Inclusion Lab), the track featured five interactive sessions focused on closing the gender pay gap and utilizing the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) GAP Analysis Tool.
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The Cohort: Seven GCNP member companies successfully navigated the 2025 track, demonstrating a commitment to building inclusive workplaces and long-term business resilience.
Key Sessions & Impact Showcases
The event featured diverse perspectives on how the private sector can move beyond policy toward tangible justice for women.
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Strategic Vision: Mr. Khalid Junejo – Executive Director, GCNP and Mr. Majyd Aziz – Board Director, GCNP opened the session by emphasizing the role of the UNGC’s Ten Principles in advancing the SDGs in Pakistan.
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Global Alignment: Ms. Salma Houerbi from the UN Global Compact delivered a global message on the Forward Faster initiative, urging companies to prioritize gender equality as a core driver of impact.
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Corporate Leadership: Ms. Falahat Imran – President WCCI, delivered keynote addresses on the importance of national economic reforms and women’s chamber initiatives.
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Measurable Progress: Representatives from Packages Limited, Nishat Mills Ltd., and MG Apparel presented “Impact Showcases,” sharing practical success stories and lessons learned during their TGE journey.
Addressing the Gap: Equal Pay for Equal Work
A highlight of the day was the panel discussion, “Equal Pay for Equal Work: Closing the Gap in Pakistan,” moderated by Ms. Sabahat Bukhari. Panelists Ms Anum Mir – CEO, YOLO Pret & Alfa Baked, Mr Mohsin Nishat – Head of Human Resources, LAMA Fashion Retail, Mr Faraz Shahid – Head of HR, Sapphire Group’s Diamond Fabric Limited & Sapphire Dairies Limited shared insights on overcoming systemic barriers and implementing fair compensation strategies within their respective industries.
The TGE 2026 Commitment
The event concluded with a certification ceremony for the participating cohort. As these organizations move forward, the focus remains on the Forward Faster priority areas, ensuring that gender equality remains at the heart of corporate sustainability in Pakistan.
