Police and administration did not let the women take out procession from Allama Iqbal Park (Nawan Shehr) here on Wednesday on the occasion of the International Women's Day and imposed section 144 CrPC under which assembly of five or more persons, taking out processions, holding rallies and meetings prohibited.
Then thousands of women gathered in Basketball Stadium of sports ground and a rally was organised which concluded at Kalima Chowk. The rally was led by Mukhtar Mai and 12 other victim women who were sexually assaulted, Begum Nasim Chaudhry, MNA of PPPP and Dr Farzana Bari.
Participants were carrying placards, banners inscribed with slogans," Repeal Hadood Ordinance," Equal rights for women," Abrogate discriminatory law," Stop violence against women," Shehnaz, Robina Kausar, Abida Perveen, Shakila, Ghulam Sakina and other victims crying for justice," Stop murder on Karo Kari" Zalimo-Jawab do Zulm Ka Hisab do".
The rally was jointly organised by Pattan Development Organisation, Khawateen Councillors Network and South Punjab NGOs Forum.
"I am struggling for other women who are being victimised and harassed by the tyrants, all women should raise voice against injustice, discriminatory law, rapists and other social evils," Mukhtar Mai said while talking to newsmen. "We are providing legal and moral support and courage to the victim women who were subjected to gang rape, sexual assaults, " Dr Farzana Bari of Pattan development organisation said.
Awaz Foundation Pakistan issued a report revealing that about 1,320 incidences of violence against women took place in 13 districts of south Punjab from July Ist 2004 to August 2005. About 44 women were abducted, 13 were raped at police stations and 62 were burnt to death during this period, while acid was thrown on 48 women.
About 92 women were murdered for honour and 42 were shot dead on the charges of Karo Kari.
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