People from cross section of the society on Sunday hailed the historic decision of President General Pervez Musharraf for promulgating an ordinance to facilitate release of women languishing in jails on various charges other than murder and terrorism.
Former President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Co-Chairman Businessmen Panel, Iftikhar Ali Malik termed it a historic decision of President help setting free imprisoned women from all prisons across the country on bail.
He said Council of Islamic Ideology, jurists, leading lawyers and people of other strata of the society had already opposed the confinement of women prisoners in jails and termed it an un-Islamic.
He said President has won the hearts of the women throughout the country, which constitutes on more than half of the total population.
He said that President declared his firm commitment to promotion and protection of women's rights within the domain of Islamic teachings. He said that ordinance envisages immediate release on bail of about 1300 women languishing in the jails.
Punjab Minister for Special Education Ms. Qudsia Lodhi told APP that judicious decision of President translated the dreams of women into reality when long awaited an ordinance was promulgated which will definitely address the grievances of the grief stricken prisoners. She said the government would continue to provide relief to women in future.
Syeda Bushra Nawaz Gardezi, Parliamentary Secretary (Home) and Vice President PML Punjab said that President had expressed his unflinching full support for initiatives aimed at protection of women's rights and stressed that political empowerment of women by the government has provided basis for their emancipation.