Pass women’s bill after Eid: Musharraf
ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday directed the federal government to pass the Women’s Protection Bill through parliament after Eidul Fitr. Musharraf gave the order at a meeting attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Rahim, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Yousuf, NWFP Governor Ali Orakzai and PML President Shujaat Hussain. The president urged the meeting to get the bill approved from parliament immediately because it aimed to protect the rights of women in Pakistan. Sources privy to the meeting said that Musharraf was dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the situation after the bill was introduced in the National Assembly.
Sources said the president asked the participants to remove differences within the ruling coalition and develop unanimity on the bill with the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM). Sources said that Musharraf was of the opinion that the bill was not in conflict with Islamic injunctions and therefore the government must not be blackmailed by the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and should not delay passing the bill only to please “reactionary forces”. Sources said the meeting also discussed several political issues. Sources said that Shujaat urged the president to direct the MQM leadership to avoid giving provocative statements against the PML. Sources quoted Shujaat as saying that being a coalition member, the MQM should strengthen the ruling party instead of weakening its position. Sources said that Musharraf told the meeting that he had already assigned his aides to discuss the issue with MQM chief Altaf Hussain. Sources said the president asked the PML and MQM to avoid making public statements against each other. Musharraf directed the NWFP governor to implement a new security system in FATA with the help of local elders for durable peace. The meeting also discussed the security situation in Balochistan and observed that law and order was improving in the province.
Source: Daliy Times
Date:10/10/2006
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