President outlines new laws to empower women
By Makhdoom Babar

ISLAMABAD—President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday while unveiling a five-point plan for the empowerment of women urged them to reject those who deny their rights and to vote for moderate forces in the next general election.
He was addressing a large gathering of women here at the Jinnah Convention Centre to commemorate the passage of Women Protection Bill.
The President identified political and economic empowerment of women, legislation to provide justice, end of unjust social practices, gender mainstreaming and violence against women as the target areas, where the government was focusing.
“There is a long struggle ahead and you need to stand united and I will stand by you,” the President said amidst thunderous clapping.
“Reject those who are against your progress and do not vote for them,” he added.
The President, along with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Minister for Women Development Sumaira Malik addressed the gathering that was attended by hundreds of women belonging to all sections of society.
President Musharraf cited the example of Hazrat Khadija (RA) who was a successful businesswoman and said how can anyone speak against the working women today.
He also mentioned the role of Muslim women during the “ghazwas” [battles] and said the government was committed to restore the dignity, honour and self- esteem of women, as accorded to them by Islam.
President Musharraf said the women protection bill aims to provide the same and vowed that more legislation was underway to ensure they get justice in all spheres of life.
The President stressed for economic empowerment of women through capacity building and by getting higher education. “You need to be strong enough to fight for your rights without being dependent on anyone,” he added.
He recalled the draft bill submitted to the National Assembly secretariat by the Pakistan Muslim League President Ch. Shujaat Hussain to bring about necessary changes in the law of inheritance related to women, divorce, barter marriages, forced marriage, marriage with Quran and wani - marriage to resolve disputes.
“All these matters have ulterior motives and are mainly related to property issues,” he said and added the government was proud to take these issues head-on and bring these according to Islam.
The President also dismissed that the Women Protection Bill (WPB) was against the teachings of Islam and called for a clear differentiation between the ‘Hudd’ laws and the man-made ones. “The Huddood Ordinance is a man-made bill, enacted in 1979 and can be changed if its clauses deny justice or there is any mistake,” he added.
President Musharraf said there were either those who were opposing it for the sake of opposing him, and those who were doing it sincerely. He categorised the first as “hypocrites” and said the others were sincere and have a right to express their point of view.
“The Council of Islamic Ideology is an authentic institution, they consider it [WPB] according to Islam and the nation must believe in it.” He said the government was duty-bound to remove injustices against any section of the society and was bringing about necessary amendments in the legislation.