ISLAMABAD – PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Saturday said the written order by the chief justice of Pakistan in which he said Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Isa should not hear cases involving Prime Minister Imran Khan “is not good for the credibility and respect of the judiciary”.

“The whole system of justice and the respect of the judiciary is being risked to save an unqualified and incompetent person.”

Interacting with reporters before her departure from Jati Umra to Sialkot, where she will address a rally in Daska as part of the election campaign for NA-75, Maryam was asked about Thursday’s written order by the chief justice of Pakistan.

Responding to the question, Maryam said the development was completely different than the treatment meted out to her father, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

“People can see the faces, the decisions and the differences between the remarks,” she said.

“I understand that there have been historic attempts to break [the] PML-N […] the state and all institutions have been thrust against a party but […] the PML-N did not break apart,” Maryam said, adding that the reason behind this was the PML-N becoming an “ideological party”.

“Every coming day is proving that Mian [Nawaz Sharif] sahab‘s vision was right.”

Responding to another question, Maryam said Major General Babar Iftikhar, the director-general of Pakistan Army’s media wing, was “very respectable for me […] and he is a good man”. “However, when you say such things then they will become a subject of mockery among the nation.”

She was referring to his comments on Monday when he rubbished rumours that the armed forces and the opposition alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), were in contact through “backdoor channels” and said that the army should not be dragged into politics. “I would again request please don’t drag the institution into this dialogue,” he had said.

Maryam said a number of recent developments “were in front of the world [to see] so please speak that which the world will accept”. Otherwise, she said, it would not be good for his credibility and that of the institution he represents.

“The people will think you are lying […] it is better that you adopt silence and don’t talk on the issue but don’t give wrong statements.”

She also reiterated that both the PDM and the PML-N wanted electoral reforms and real democracy but any legislation on this front could not be be done with PM Imran at the helm.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 – According to Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO)’s spokesman, System Maintenance is in process. Therefore the power supply of below-mentioned feeders/areas will be temporary suspended as per given schedule:-

On 14th February at 09:00 am to 02:00 pm, I-9/4, Noor Mohammad, Faizabad, Abu Bakar, Park View, Jail Park 1, Car Chowk, Mehboob Shaheed, Fuji Foundation, Morgah, Bolani, Military College, Puran, Duffer. G-11 Markaz, Kalingar Gadin, T&T, Pindi Point, Barian, Bilwara, Trit, Askari XI-, Misryal Road, Kamalabad, Nogzi, I-16/1, BB Shaheed, RIC, Chaklala, Jail Park-1, Model Town, Lalkurti, Chontra, Hyal, Sagri, Kahuta City-2, Basali, Mushtaq Hussain, Taxila, Brahma, Kohsar Valley, Paswal, Shakar Dara, Attock Cantt, Nard Topa, Vaisa, Mansar, Nika Kalan, Mathial, M. Shaheed, Khandha, Bolani, Kariala, Fatehpur, Khor, Puran, Boriyan, F-9 Chak Daulat, F-2 Chip Board, Industrial, F-10 Kala Base, M. Riaz Shaheed, Gadari, Bhagwal, Safdar Shaheed, Sanghui, Nathwala, Mumtaz Shaheed, Mankiala, Kantrila, Smoot, Bhone, Mangwal, Islamia Chowk Feeders, From 09:00 AM to 4:00 PM, G-10/2, G-10/1, G-9/4, G-9 Express, G-8 / 2, Mong City, Mongpatan Sher Khan, Mong Kanchan, Lehtar, Bilwara, Karoar-II Feeders, From 09:30 am to 12:30 pm Morgah, Zaraj Housing Society, Model Town, RCC Express, Sarwar Shaheed, AOWHS, Sawan, Bahria Town, Pepsi Cola, Fuji Foundation Hospital, Wilayat Complex, X-Lair Colony, Pindi Board, Dhok Awan, Feeders and surrounding areas will be remain without power. IESCO management apologizes to its esteemed customers for the power outage. If the work is completed ahead of time, the power supply can be restored even before the scheduled time.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 (DNA) – The panel of experts speaking at a webinar said that Pakistani women’s struggle for equal rights has continued over the decades despite all odds and dictatorship. The democratic governments have done ample legislation but the implementation lacks that deprive women of their lawful rights.

Gender inequality underpins many problems which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as domestic and sexual violence, lower pay, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare.

The speakers said women suffer from pervasive gender-based violence, from domestic abuse, honour killings, and sexual violence to institutional discrimination. There is a widespread lack of consistent access to quality family planning services in Pakistan, resulting in one of the highest unmet needs in Asia. Still women are denied the right to vote, inheritance, choice of spouse and economic engagement.

The national webinar was organized by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) on Saturday. The guest speakers included senior journalist Fauzia Shahid, president PODA Sameena Nazir, Head of Women Development department of Islamic University Bahawalpur Dr Yasmin Roofi, Kinnaird College Lahore Professor Dr Kushboo Ejaz, Shad Development Foundation Executive Director Shad Begum from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, National Press Club senior vice president Sadia Kamal, Dr. Nilofer Jamil from Quetta, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed and senior journalists CR Shamsi, Anwar Iqbal (Washington) and Ali Raza Alvi.

Senior journalist Fauzi Shahid said February 12 is commemorated to remember the brave struggle of the women for their rights launched in 1983 when the dictatorial regime promulgated legislation contrary to the women’s democratic and lawful rights. Unfortunately the patriarchal thinking has continued over the years despite continuous struggle. Now women have found some space but the destination of equal rights is still far sighted.

PODA president Sameena Nazir said legislation is done but did not communicate to the bottom where it is to be implemented. There is no adequate mechanism to educate the implementing agencies about the enforcement of law. The rural areas and marginalized communities still suffer in the absence of implementation and sanitization of the agencies.

Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said some of the problem faced by women in Pakistan are domestic violence, honour killing, rape and abduction, marital rape, forced marriages, and induced abortions. The Global Gender Gap Index report of 2020 ranked Pakistan 151 out of the total 153 countries. This is ironic that women rights are compromised despite assurance in the religion of Islam and the constitution of Pakistan.

Shad Begum said the social and political environment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not conducive for women. It is very difficult to challenge the social taboos to raise the voice for women rights though we have ray of hope as the local women of the urban towns find their ways to the mainstream platforms. The majority still struggles for the basic human rights.

Dr. Yasmin Roof said what the women demand is not the western agenda but are the rights ensured in the religion and the constitutions. We need to restore the shrinking space for civil society voices. Males of the families need to encourage women to play their active role in the family and society.

Dr Khushboo Ejaz mentioned that Higher Education Commission has encouraged to establish anti-sexual harassment committees in the universities after having noticed the rising complaints of sexual harassment. We have legislation but needs to have implementation in letter and spirit.=DNA

===============================