More amendments to women empowerment law urged

LAHORE

Women’s groups and civil society organisations have demanded more amendments to laws for the empowerment of women and for safeguarding women rights.Celebrating women’s movement contributions, women leaders, gathered from different districts of Punjab, paid a tribute to honour Shehla Zia, founder member of WAF & AF and human rights defender, who is no longer with us, for her struggle and contributions to the safeguarding women rights, struggle for legal protection of women's rights and repeal discriminatory laws i.e. Hudood Ordinance, honour killing, amendments to personal laws, sexual violence etc.  

February 12th marks the 32nd anniversary of the momentous challenge to General Ziaul Haq’s military government.

On February 12, 1983, women in Lahore broke the deafening public silence against the military regime by protesting at The Mall. The women were beaten by the authorities and mass arrests took place but these women resolved to continue their struggle. That day the women’s movement laid claim to its place in history for the struggle for equal rights and a democratic and just dispensation for all Pakistani citizens, renowned women rights activist Mahnaz Rafi said. 

Nigar Ahmed, Executive Director Aurat Foundation said that “12th of February, Pakistani National Women Day” is celebrated to remind the Pakistani women movement’s courage and bravery to fight against violence and discriminatory laws and treatment still persistent to this day. She stressed that there was a need to create a widespread awareness and commitment for a just, democratic and caring society in Pakistan, where women and men are recognised equal with the right to lead their lives with self-respect and dignity. 

Women Rights Activist Mumtaz Mughal said that laws were the reflection of the values of society. Women are struggling for attaining more and more legal protection and empowerment. There are many factors responsible for the poor protection of women rights, lack of education, rigid values system, absence of proper implementation of the laws and complex judicial system.

Alleged human trafficker dies: An alleged human smuggler has expired due to what FIA officials claimed as heart attack in the lockup of the Anti -Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) on Friday afternoon. 

The deceased was identified as Abdul Hafeez, 65, who died due to what they claimed as heart attack. The FIA Lahore had arrested Hafeez on February 10, 2016 on the charge of sending people abroad illegally. 

The body of the deceased was shifted to a local hospital for autopsy. On the other hand, a judicial inquiry has been ordered to determine the ‘actual’ cause of death. Further investigations are underway.  

engines: Engineers of the Chinese company CSR Ziyang declared 11 out of 16 locomotives, which had developed major problems, fit for operation after replacing the faulty and damaged parts.

Federal Minister Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, in a meeting with the Pakistan Railways Engineers and the Chinese engineers, sought the progress on the engine repair.