06 February 2005	Sunday	26 Zilhaj 1425

QUETTA, Feb 5: Cases of honour killing and torture on women have increased significantly in the country over the last years and a comprehensive campaign is needed against such acts, the participants of a meeting observed here on Friday.

Representatives of various civil society, and journalists, lawyers, trade union and political organizations attended the meeting organized by Oxfam GB, Pakistan.

They urged people to fulfil their responsibilities for stopping honour killing and torture on women.

Oxfam Country Chief Farhana Farooqi said her organization had decided to launch a campaign to stop honour killing and torture on women in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. She said the campaign would continue till 2011 and it aimed at reducing cases of honour killing in the country by up to 40 per cent.

"Every year, 1,500 people are murdered in the name of honour in Pakistan," said Dr Mohammad Arif, the country coordinator of the organization.

National Party MPA Dr Shama Ishaq Baloch underlined the need for adoption of resolutions in the national and provincial assemblies for legislation so that people involved in honour killing could be punished.

In Balochistan, the campaign will be launched in Bolan, Dhadar, Sibi, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad and Khuzdar districts.