Democracy, empowerment of women a key commitment: Sherry
By Mona Khan

ISLAMABAD—The newly established democratic government is fully committed to promoting and protecting human rights, particularly women’s rights in the country.
This was stated by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman, during a meeting with David Kramer, US Assistant Secretary Of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, who called on her here.
“The strengthening of democracy and empowerment of women was a key commitment in the political struggle of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto”, the Minister said. “We will empower women and all work to ensure the mainstreaming of women in every field of life”, the Minister added. During the meeting, the Minister briefed the delegation about the 100 days plan of the government.
She said that the coalition government has inherited challenges that are political, economic and social but the government has been able to instal consensus, coalition governments in all the four provinces and in the centre, so it has brought hope to the people of Pakistan. She stressed upon the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and US in various sectors including trade, investment, energy, education and science & technology.
“With the establishment of a democratic government people have high expectations , and we are all working to ensure that Pakistan benefits from a democracy and peace dividend, as coalitions vitiate collisions” the Minister said. Referring to the issue of publishing of blasphemous cartoons in a Dutch newspaper, the Minister said that under no pretext could there be any justification to malign any religion, culture or race. “There should be concrete efforts to enhance respect of all religions and promote interfaith harmony”, the Minister added.
US Assistant Secretary, David Kramer, said that the US wanted to develop long-term and multi-faceted relations with Pakistan. He appreciated the new government’s efforts to deregulate the media and its vision to improve the state of human rights in the country.