Civil society rejects Women Protection Bill
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—Hundreds of women's rights activists on Wednesday held a demonstration outside the Parliament House, denouncing the government's new posturing on the Women's Protection Bill and demanding repeal of the Hudood Ordinances in line with the recommendations of the statutory National Commission on the Status of Women.
The demonstration came on the day the Parliament took up for debate the controversial bill that seeks to amend the draconian Hudood Ordinances. The protestors, however, rejected the bill and particularly amendments introduced at the behest of the religious parties. They said that the government has succumbed to the pressure of mullahs by accepting their amendments, which will further water down the already flawed text earlier put forward by the steering committee of the National Assembly.
Holding placards inscribed with demands for the repeal of Hudood Ordinances and condemning mullahs for undermining human rights in the name of religion, protestors said that the Women Protection Bill will not bring any relief to women. In fact, the mullah-recommended amendments will further worsen the rights situation in the country, leaving women at the mercy of police and judiciary.
The rally demanded that the government should not engage in politicking in the name of women and should not make comprises that may cause deeper hurt to women who are already socially, economically and politically venerable and weak.
Survey for sewerage system in progress