this is one welcome change, in the history of the country.
any thoughts on this?
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday while unveiling a five-point plan for the empowerment of women urged them to reject those who deny their rights and to vote for moderate forces in the next general election.
He was addressing a large gathering of women here at the Jinnah Convention Centre to commemorate the passage of Women Protection Bill.
The President identified political and economic empowerment of women, legislation to provide justice, end of unjust social practices, gender mainstreaming and violence against women as the target areas, where the government was focusing.
“There is a long struggle ahead and you need to stand united and I will stand by you,” the President said amidst thunderous clapping.
“Reject those who are against your progress and do not vote for them,” he added.
The President, along with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Minister for Women Development Sumaira Malik addressed the gathering that was attended by hundreds of women belonging to all sections of society.
President Musharraf cited the example of Hazrat Khadija (RA) who was a successful businesswoman and said how can anyone speak against the working women today.
He also mentioned the role of Muslim women during the “ghazwas” [battles] and said the government was committed to restore the dignity, honour and self- esteem of women, as accorded to them by Islam.
President Musharraf said the women protection bill aims to provide the same and vowed that more legislation was underway to ensure they get justice in all spheres of life.
The President stressed for economic empowerment of women through capacity building and by getting higher education.
"You need to be strong enough to fight for your rights without being dependent on anyone," he added.
He recalled the draft bill submitted to the National Assembly secretariat by the Pakistan Muslim League President Ch. Shujaat Hussain to bring about necessary changes in the law of inheritance related to women, divorce, barter marriages, forced marriage, marriage with Quran and wani - marriage to resolve disputes.
“All these matters have ulterior motives and are mainly related to property issues,” he said and added the government was proud to take these issues head-on and bring these according to Islam.
The President also dismissed that the Women Protection Bill (WPB) was against the teachings of Islam and called for a clear differentiation between the ‘Hudd’ laws and the man-made ones.
“The Huddood Ordinance is a man-made bill, enacted in 1979 and can be changed if its clauses deny justice or there is any mistake,” he added.
President Musharraf said there were either those who were opposing it for the sake of opposing him, and those who were doing it sincerely.
He categorised the first as “hypocrites” and said the others were sincere and have a right to express their point of view.
“The Council of Islamic Ideology is an authentic institution, they consider it [WPB] according to Islam and the nation must believe in it.”
He said the government was duty-bound to remove injustices against any section of the society and was bringing about necessary amendments in the legislation.
The President said that the people listen to the recitation from the Holy Quran with great reverence, but regretted that there was no practical implementation of the teachings of Islam.
“We are an Islamic Republic, and no bill can be imposed in the country that is against the teachings of Quran and Sunnah,” the President said.
He said women were among the three underprivileged sections of the society including the poor and the minorities that deserved much better treatment and equal rights.
“Our Constitution accords equal rights, irrespective of caste, creed or sex, and we are here to put this in practice,” he added.
The President said “ours is an elitist society and we must give a voice to our poor.” The Minorities, he said, have been given Joint Electorate and reserve seats to mainstream them.
The President recalled the bill barring Honour Killing and the Presidential Ordinance on Women Prisoners that secured release of over 1300 prisoners.
He said the passage of the bill was a historic moment and described it as “an aggressively progressive - a true example of progressive Islamic society.”
President Musharraf said there were now 22 per cent women in the National, Provincial assemblies and 33 per cent at the Local Government level, the job quota in civil services has increased to 10 per cent, they were working in the Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Military Academy, PIA, as teachers and other nation building institutions.
The President however urged the media to play its role by creating more awareness about the rights of the women, their place in society and the dignity accorded to them in Islam.
He also noted the role of the Non-Governmental Organisations in highlighting the problems of women, however said they should refrain from taking up such issues at international fora as it brings a bad name to the country.
President Musharraf greeted the nation, particulary the women on their achievement, the parliament and all those “moderate political” forces that supported the bill.
The President also announced a Rs 2000 monthly stipend for the women councillors and said the amount may increase in future, with better economic conditions of the country.