KARACHI, Feb 12: The Joint Action Committee, formed mainly by NGOs, politicians and Pakistan Medical Association, on Saturday kicked off a march that culminated at the Karachi Press Club , protesting against "delay by the government" in reaching to a verdict regarding 'infamous Balochistan rape case' and mushrooming violence against women across Pakistan.

Starting from the Regal Chowk, the rally was led by Muttahida Qaumi Movement MNA Kunwar Khalid, PPP MPA Sasi Paleejo, Aurat Foundation chairperson Anees Haroon and representatives of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Speaking to demonstrators, Anees Haroon exhorted the government to bring about as soon as possible justice to the alleged gang-rape victim, Dr Shazia, and reiterated that it seemed that there were some hidden hands that constantly obstructed arrest of culprits "whosoever they are", she stressed, adding: "we will continue our struggle until the tyranny perpetrated against women stops".

From Jan 1 to Feb 10, 62 rape cases were reported unofficially in Karachi alone in which 33 women were gang-raped, a WAR (Women Against Rape) social legal officer informed, adding that number of such cases in interior Sindh areas is unknown.

Meanwhile, BNP members also protested against alleged usurpation of Balochs by the government.-PPI