Perth, Oct 29 (IANS): Pakistani women were being politically and economically empowered and were playing an active role in building the nation, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said here Saturday.

Speaking on the topic "Women as Agents of Change" at the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Gilani apprised the world leaders about the steps Pakistan has taken for the advancement of women in the country, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Gilani said women constitute almost 50 percent of the Commonwealth population. Any agenda of reform and development cannot achieve tangible results without their active involvement.

He said besides selection on merit, 10 percent jobs have been reserved for women in all government departments.

Similarly, 30 percent seats are reserved for women in parliament in addition to direct open elections to encourage them to take part in politics.

Gilani said Pakistan has the unique distinction to elect the first woman prime minister in the Muslim world -- the late Benazir Bhutto.

He said that currently there were 76 women legislators in the National Assembly or the lower house of parliament out of 342 members, including Speaker Fahmeeda Mirza and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.