Women parliamentarians on Friday acclaimed issuing of an Ordinance by President Pervez Musharraf that facilitates release of women detained on various charges, describing it as a far-reaching step towards protection of rights of half of the country's population.
"This is a historic day for Pakistan, this Ordinance will facilitate release on bail of about 1300 women detained on charges other than terrorism and murder," proclaimed Minister of State for Women's Development, Sumaira Malik.
She was speaking at Aiwan-e-Sadr after a meeting with the President, who signed the Ordinance and reaffirmed his strong commitment to preserving and promoting rights of women.
Minister of State for Education, Aneesa Zeb Tahirkheli said the decision by changing or amending the section 497 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) was a great step. This is really going to rid women of all those harsh and very coercive kind of dealing because of which they have to languish behind jail.
Parliamentary Secretary, Dr Firdos Ashiq Awan said this is a wonderful occasion in the history of Pakistan. The grieved and innocent women were thrown behind the bars and this ordinance will provide them great relief.