Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that every political party has the right to express itself, however the ruling party was moving with the allied parties with mutual understanding.
He expressed these views here on Friday while responding to a question on MQM's protest call during a talk with the media-men after addressing a two-day conference on 'The other self: conflicts, confusion or compromise'. It was organised by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in collaboration with the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).
The Prime Minister further said that democracy gives right to political parties to express opinion on any matter; they are always in consultation with their allied parties on all matters, and during the coming elections they would move together. "It is first time in the history of the country that a government is completing its tenure of five years, which would have a positive impact on people as well as democratic system," he added.
He firmly said that the assemblies would complete its tenure and the general elections would be held on time; continuity of democracy would further improve the democratic system in the country. "Pakistani people were politically conscious and thus they would support continuity of democracy," he added.
Shaukat said that Pakistan Muslim League and its allies will actively contest the next general elections with the confidence that voters desired continuation of positive and prudent policies in the country. He said the positive changes introduced by the PML-led coalition government will play the defining role during the polls and the electorate, are well aware of these developments.
To another question on Kashmir, Shaukat said that Kashmir was important for Pakistan and its resolution is only possible through talks. "Pakistan would continue to support the rights of Kashmiris," he added.
On an incident involving Intelligence Bureau at Peshawar, he said that a joint investigation was in the process and the initial findings showed that it was not a serious matter; however the final findings would clear the whole picture.
Earlier, while addressing the inaugural session of the conference, Shaukat Aziz observed, "Gender discrimination is rooted in deeply entrenched systems of patriarchy, which limit and confine women to subordinate roles. Invisibility of women in the economy, biased legal systems, which victimise rather than protecting women, prevalence of callous and inhuman customs, acute gender imbalances in access to basic facilities of education and health, and lack of representation in governance structure, all these are the causes as well as consequences of gender discrimination and exclusion."
He said that the present government, from day one, has demonstrated a firm and unflinching commitment to addressing gender issue and safeguarding the rights of women. He emphasised that our faith embodies the pristine values of human equality, social justice and respect for women. "Our agenda for women empowerment, therefore, reflects the basic principle and teachings of Islam. We would never do anything, pass any law or resort to any measure which is contrary to the tenants of our faith," he added.
The Prime Minister highlighted the initiative the government has taken for the women empowerment, including increasing their representation in the National and provincial Assemblies and local councils, National Gender Reform Action Plan (GRAP) (approved in 2005) and making double the quota of women in Central Superior Services. He said that several; initiatives for economic empowerment of women and poverty alleviation have also been taken, such as the National Fund for Advancement of Women, 'Rozgar' and Mentorship Schemes, and provision of micro-finance for poor women.
He was of the view that violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights and one of the worst forms of violence against women is murder in the name of honour. "Our government promulgated The Criminal Law (amendment) Act 2004 to safeguard the most basic rights for women, the right to live. Similarly, in order to provide relief to women languishing in jails, the Law Reforms Ordinance 2006 was1 enacted," he added.
On Women Protection Act, Shuakat Aziz said that it is another milestone, which would go a long way to restoring the dignity of women and protecting their legitimate rights. He boosted that our parliamentarians rose above the political divide and supported a just cause and this law is the first step of a long journey. "We are determined to stamp out all vestiges of discrimination and exploitation against women. In order to eliminate cruel customs and inhuman practices, which clearly are contrary to Islamic teachings, six new legislation are under process, which would deal with forced marriage, inheritance, marriage with the Quran (God forbid), vatta-satta and divorce. These laws would free women from the clutches of sinister customs and give them full legal backing to safeguard their rights, dignity and self-respect," he added.
On the occasion, NCSW chairperson Dr Arfa Sayeda Zehra said that realising the importance of women issues, President Pervez Musharraf through an ordinance constituted National Commission on the Status of Women in 2000. She averred that this was a most welcome step on the demand and support of the members of civil society. "The mandate given by the Ordinance is to review policies, examine laws in order to remove injustices and inequalities that mutilate the lives of women, she added.
According to her, the Commission does not have its independent secretariat till date. The Commission is really marginalised with having only four staff members including its chairperson. The phoenix always rises from the ashes. Today's conference is a proof of the Commission's sheer devotion to the mandate, which it could dream and make it come true also.
Dr Arfa observed that this conference coincides with the opportune promulgation of Women's Protection Bill. The NCSW Chairperson told the participants that each one of our distinguished guests with their wealth of ideas would enrich our deliberations to understand and resolve the issues that are global and universal.
According to her, ignorance breeds paranoid, paranoid breeds mistrust and mistrust breed complexes; and a complex society is not conscious of rights. It only knows to take and does not know how to give.
"A progressive moderate society does not let it happen, complacent society does not mind it and insists to maintain status quo. A forward-looking society could flourish in status quo and needs to challenge it. That is the conflict, which creates confusion and not to compromise for an understanding," she added.
Later, in the plenary session 'Justice delivered or denied', which was chaired by Attorney General of Pakistan Makhdoom Ali Khan, Geetha Devi from India, Osama Siddique of Lums, Salma Ali from Bangladesh, Shanta Thapalia from Nepal and Renu Singh from India presented their papers.
UNDP Resident Representative Jan Vandermoortele chaired the second session, which addressed by the speakers from Afghanistan, Nepal, Lebanon, Philippines and Canada.