Rearrest of accused in rape case lauded
ISLAMABAD, March 20,2005: PML Central Vice-President Syed Kabir Ali Wasti has lauded intervention by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to ensure security of rape victim Mukhtar Mai by ordering rearrest of the accused, who had been acquitted by the Lahore High Court.
The PML leader, in a statement, said providing protection to the vulnerable segments of the society was the responsibility of the state, adding that the prime minister had done well to fulfil this commitment.
He said the LHC verdict had put Mukhtar Mai in grave peril. The prime minister has taken an appropriate step by ordering that the accused be put under custody while the case is with the Supreme Court, he added.
Mr Wasti said the alleged decision of the village panchayat in which it ordered Mukhtar Mai’s rape by the relatives of a girl to avenge something done by her brother was a horrible custom which required a concerted drive by the government and the civil society. There is no place in Islam for such customs, he added.
“President Musharraf’s concept of enlightened moderation is designed to rid the society of such mediaeval thinking”, he said adding the prime minister’s orders reflected government’s determination to enforce the agenda of enlightened moderation.The PML leader said the high court had acquitted five of the six accused for lack of adequate evidence.
Source: Dawn
Date:3/20/2005
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