Release of Women: Musharraf Signs Ordinance, Supports Female Rights
By Aziz Malik 'Pakistan Times' Federal Bureau Chief

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday signed an ordinance to facilitate release of women detained in jails on various charges other than murder and terrorism.

The President declared his firm commitment to promotion and protection of women’s rights while addressing a gathering of leading women from various fields including members of cabinet and parliamentarians at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The ordinance will provide for immediate release on bail of about 1300 women languishing in the jails, Minister for Women’s Development, later, told media persons and added that it would continue to provide relief to women in the future.

President Musharraf, in his address, expressed full support for initiatives aimed at protection of women’s rights and stressed that political empowerment of women by the government has provided the basis for their emancipation.

“I am on women’s side for their empowerment,” he stated as women MPs hailed the Ordinance as a historic stp towards protection of women rights.

“The political empowerment has given voice to women at all tiers of governance and provides basis for their emancipation,” he said, referring to increase in women representation to 33 per cent at grass roots level and 17 per cent reserved seats for them at the national level.

At the same time, President Musharraf said the government is striving for economic empowerment of women and encouraging extension of loans to women for this objective through Khushhali Bank.

He said Rozgar Pakistan will also be helpful in enabling women to gain economic empowerment.

President Musharraf said education and capacity building of women through enhancement of their skills in various fields are other major areas in terms of women empowerment and said the government is focused on these.

Speaking in the broader context, the President said eduction would be a key factor in emancipation of women and remarked that the increasing number of women getting eduction at institutions of higher learning is a positive development in this respect.

The President favoured appointment of women on higher posts on merit. Appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Women’s Development and non-governmental organizations, he asked women leaders to make pro-active efforts for betterment of half of the country’s population.

Minister for Information Muhammad Ali Durrani, Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Zobaida Jalal, Minister for tourism Nilofar Bakhtiar, Ministers of State Hina Rabbani Khar, Aneesa Zeb Tahir Kheli, Ghulam bibi Bharwana and women members of parliament were present.

In her remarks, Minister for Women’s Development Sumaira Malik, paid tributes to President Musharraf for fulfilling his commitment ot the cause of women. She also emphasized that “This is a great day in the history of Pakistan with regard to promotion of women’s rights”,

Other participants, who spoke on the occasion, expressed their gratitude to the President and said his policies would help women live with dignity and honour.

1300 Women being Freed

Under the amended law, about 1300 women imprisoned under Hudood laws or minor offences will be freed today, however women prisoners involved in terrorism and murder offences won’t released.

The government has amended Article 497 of CrPC to provide relief to women prisoners. The president has also directed the Ministry of Law for amendments in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

President has said that he will personally work against anti-women prejudice and violence against women will not be tolerated at any cost.

Under the amended laws women offenders will be freed on bail instead of keeping them into jails.

President urged the women parliamentarians to play their role for creating public awareness on the issue.

Call to Civil Servants

And, while addressing participants of the 84th national management Course, the President on Friday called upon the senior civil servants to strive for efficient implementation of policies formulated for improvement in the lives of common man.


President Musharraf said the people expect good governance for redressal of their problems and issues and underlined the importance of bridging the gap between formulation and implementation of polices.

He asked the senior civil servants to adhere to high standards of professionalism and keep pace with technological advancements to meet new challenges and also suggest police responses to various situations at hand.

He urged them to inculcate qualities of leadership and said they should become leaders by setting personal example and create a place of respect in the hearts and minds of people who follow them or look up to them.

The President said in order to bring efficiency in governance and introduce structural reforms a National Commission on Government Reforms has been initiated to introduce reforms in civil service.●