Pakistani women smeared with colored powder on their faces celebrate the Holi Festival in southern port city of Karachi on March 6, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)

Social development is not possible without the key role of womankind, and the entire Pakistani society needs to actively join hands in further empowering women and ensuring their protection and rights, said Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Semaab Begum, a 45-year-old nurse at a public hospital in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, was carefully monitoring her patients while implementing their medical plans and treatment at a general ward of the hospital.

Sparing time from her busy schedule, Begum told Xinhua that she considered the nursing profession as a great service to humanity and she enjoyed every moment of her duties, providing patients with care, compassion and treatment.

"My patients are like my family members. Even after getting treatment and being discharged from the hospital, they come to visit me, bringing food and gifts...I am happy that I am contributing positively to society," she said.

Talking about the International Women's Day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe, including Pakistan, she said one must take this opportunity to appreciate Pakistani women who continue to make a mark in various fields despite facing challenges.

Women are working to maintain a trainer aircraft at a flying academy on International Women's Day in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on March 8, 2023. (Str/Xinhua)

Begum believed that no difficulty can come in the way if women are really determined to rise and shine, instead, they should use these hurdles posed by society as a stepping stone to tackle and achieve greatness as well as ultimate success.

Echoing Begum, Rabia Sultana, a factory worker in the eastern Rawalpindi district, said women are the backbone of society and play a vital role in building societies.

"Through their hard work, love, selflessness and resilience, women forge families and communities ... Without empowering and uplifting them, no society can make progress," she told Xinhua.

"I am a mother of three beautiful children. My husband is also a factory worker. We work side by side to give our children a better future so that they can play their part in Pakistan's prosperity and make it a beautiful place to live for future generations," Sultana said.

In his message on the International Women's Day, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the government is committed to ensuring equal and just rights for women in the country by providing them with opportunities in all fields of life.

Iqra Rehman, a Pakistani table tennis player plays during a practice session in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar on March 8, 2023. (Photo by Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua)

Terming Pakistani women as the pride of the nation, the prime minister said women are playing a robust role in every field including businesses, education, health, defense, diplomatic and sports sectors.

History has witnessed the fact that social development is not possible without the key role of womankind, he said, adding that the entire Pakistani society needed to actively join hands in further empowering women and ensuring their protection and rights.

In connection with the special day, a large number of people, especially women in Pakistan were holding rallies, with women activists and workers, stressing the need to create an inclusive environment where women can operate with dignity and autonomy without gender inequalities and gender-based violence.

To celebrate the achievements of women in Pakistan, many outlets and brands including clothing, shoes and jewelry, were offering special discounts and deals on the International Women's Day. Also, beauty salons offered deals for women to take a break from their daily hectic routine and have a happy relaxing time for themselves.