Elected female Nazims, Naib Nazims and Councillors have threatened blockade of the Parliament, after Eid-ul-Azha, if the government failed to withdraw its decision to decrease the number of female members in Local Body institutions. In a protest demonstration held here on Tuesday under the aegis of Aurat Foundation from Rawalpindi Press Club to Murree Road, they said that President Musharraf by empowering women has put them on a path to fight for their rights and play their role in development activities of the country.
It may be recall that President Musharraf has few days back decided to decrease the percentage of women elected members in Local Government institutions. The move was largely criticised by elected female members and even by female parliamentarians and termed it an attack on women rights.
"The decision to decrease the percentage of elected women in District, Tehsil and Union Council assemblies is quite discouraging and an attempt to push women to the dark aliens", said Mumtaz Apa of Aurat Foundation while addressing the demonstrators.
The demonstrators included female Nazims, Naib Nazims and Councillors of different union councils, Tehsil and district assembly members.
Sumera Gul, Presiding Officer of Tehsil assembly Rawalpindi. Mumtaz Apa in her speech said that empowerment of women under the devolution of power plan of the Musharraf government was a move which guided the women folks of the country towards new heights.