ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani conferred the 'Presidents Medal-Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, 2010' on 21 women in recognition of their contributions in diverse fields, including their efforts for the empowerment of women. Ministry of Women Development had organised the ceremony in this regard. Mohammad Aslam Jinnah, the grand son of Jinnah, was the guest of honour at the ceremony. The recipients included Nigar Ahmad of Aurat Foundation, Maryam Bibi from Peshawar, Dr Alia Hashmi Khan of Quaid-I-Azam University, Naseem Begum from Women Development Social Welfare Department in Gilgit, Pathani from Thardeep Rural Development Programme in Sindh, Josephine Sattar from Insan Dost Association in Sahiwal, Zaib-un-Nisa and Shahida Parveen from media organisations, Mussa-rat Mirza from Sindh University Jamshoro, Shirin Rashid Jan from Quetta, Hamida Abid from Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industry Research in Peshawar, SHO/ASI Sadaf Basharat from Islamabad Capital Territory Police, Dr. Captain Samia Rauf from Combined Military Hospital (CMH)of Rawalpindi, Lady Health Worker from Quetta Ms. Taj Barlas, Nasreen Aziz from Education Department of Bagh, Shamim Mumtaz Wasi, Women Council-or from Karachi, Dr. Ansa Usman Sheikh from Lahore Medical and Dental college, Dr. Noorzada Mehsud of Medical Officer at Agency Head Quarter of Wana, South Waziristan Agency, Muhamm-ad Haroon Dawood from Aurat Foundation Quetta, Dr Yasmeen Faiz Kazi LHW from Larkana and Maria Torpakay from Wana, South Waziristan Agency. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the country was confronted with multiple challenges, terrorism and extremism being the most lethal of them all. We cannot allow a handful of bigoted minority to impose their agenda on the peaceful majority, he said. He quoted Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, who in her interview with a foreign writer had said We are not a state run by priests or a hierarchy. We are a state organised according to Islamic principles. They are very fine principles for organising a state. He said the naming of the Awards after the name of Fatima Jinnah was the expression of our national gratitude to her. He recommended to the ministry to hold the awards ceremony annually on the birthday of Fatima Jinnah on July 30 to honour our distinguished women who achieved excellence in life. Yasmeen Rehman, Advisor to PM on Women Affairs, speaking on the event, said Fatima Jinnah had a multidimensional personality and was first qualified female dentist of the sub-continent. She said he-r role in Pakistan movement was very pivotal which was not limited to Pakistan movement only but she, after the creation of Pakistan, did great work for the relief of dismayed people. She said such a champion of passion is needed today as well as we are facing the same situation due to the devastating floods. She announced that 26 functional crises centres of the ministry would be converted into relief camps where flood affectees would be given assistance. She requested the PM to present the Domestic Violence Bill in the joint session of the parliament that the National Assembly has passed but still laying with the Senate as the mediation committees of the Senate has been dissolved due to 18th Amendment. Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to PM on Social Sectors, said the women who have received awards come from different fields, regions and society and it shows that our women are brave, hardwor-king and playing their role in every sphere of life and making a difference through their dedication, hard work and commitment.