Historical and memorable decision by Gen. Parvez Musharraf, to release 1300 women languishing in jails is hailed. It is an important milestone in the empowerment of the Women- Altaf Hussain.

London: 8^th July 06

Great homage has been paid by Altaf Hussain-Founder Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement to Gen. Parvez Musharraf- the President of Pakistan, on his promulgation of the Ordinance concerning women whereby 1300 women awaiting trial will secure their release immediately. “It is not only a historic and memorable decision”, said Mr Altaf Hussain, “but a bold step taken for the first time in the 59 years’ history of Pakistan for the empowerment of the women. He added that it will be an important milestone in the conferment of the rights of women.

Mr. Altaf Hussain also welcomed the Government’s decision whereby all the laws in vogue that adversely affect the women’s rights shall be repealed. Continuing he said,  “Muttahida Qaumi Movement is the only political party that has, irrespective of any consideration, not only raised its voice for the equal rights of the women but also spread awareness amongst them to work with men shoulder to shoulder in all walks of life. This is the reason that in contrast to all political parties only the women of Muttahida Quami Movement are in the vanguard to struggle for their rights along with men on equal footing.

The Quaid-e Tehrik added that for the last 28 years Muttahida is struggling for equal rights of women but the vested interest on various pretext, have made various attempts in creating hurdles in this struggle and to deny women their due rights with a view to keep them as third rate citizens. The incessant struggle of the Muttahida Quami Movement and in this struggle the sacrifices made by the workers in general and by the respectable mothers, sisters and elderly ladies in particular, have been rewarded when the President not only took  concrete steps in issuing the above referred Ordinance but the Government also took the decision to repeal all such laws that are adverse to women’s rights.

Mr. Altaf Hussain further said that this decision of the Government would water down the efforts that are being made by those who are preaching extremism in the name of religion to deny the due rights to the women. Elaborating he said, “ Such elements are not only the enemies of the women, general public and the country but also of Islam. Hence patriotism demands that we all should unite and defeat the malicious purposes and designs of these extremist elements.   

Mr. Altaf Hussain lamented on the plight of thousands of the mothers, sisters and daughters of the country who are languishing in jails without trial and that too when the majority of such women have been imprisoned on the charges of non-Islamic laws so drawn in the name of Islam.

Continuing Mr. Hussain said that if a cursory glance is made it would be revealed that 98% of such women who are in jail with out trial belong to poor and middle class. Through this historical Ordinance about 1300 women of poor and middle class would thus be able to secure their release and will ever pray for the long life and prosperity of the President.

Mr Hussain added, “ We assure President Gen Musharraf the  whole hearted support of  Muttahida Qaumi Movement and its hundreds and thousand of workers, and general public for securing the release of these languishing women and for repealing such laws that adversely affect the rights of women. Continuing he said,”. The greatest need of the time is that the enlightened liberals, columnist, writers, journalists, intellectuals, advocates, doctors engineers, human rights organizations and political parties support the President and the Government for this noble cause. He also said that irrespective of their political differences with General Musharraf, the political parties must lend full support to the Government for their good work as it is in the Nation’s interest.

In the end Mr Hussain congratulated and paid homage to all those haq prast people, elders, workers, sympathisers and specially mothers and sisters for their 28 years incessant struggle that have  yielded such  positive results. He once again paid homage to General Musharraf and the general public  for this historical decision.