QUETTA, March 8: Speakers at two different functions held here on Tuesday to mark the World Women's Day, demanded end to all sorts injustices and discrimination against women in society.

One of the function was organized by the Pakistan People's Party at the MPA hostel. Speaking on the occasion, MNA Dr Azra Zardari, Fehmida Mirza, Senator Saifullah Paracha, Syed Sadaullah, Dr Samina Razzak and others said that narrow-minded elements were responsible for denying just rights to women in society.

They pledged that the PPP leadership would not compromise on the rights of women in the country. They were bitterly critical of government lawmakers for tabling what they called a very weak bill in the National Assembly to end scourge of honour killing. They claimed that the PPP lawmakers had tried to amend the bill to give more protection to women but treasury bench members bulldozed the amendments.

The PPP leaders condemned government's lukewarm attitude on the issue of rape of lady doctor Shazia Khalid. They demanded immediate restoration of the 1973 Constitution in its true spirit and stressed that all political detainees put behind the bar in false cases should be freed to protect their democratic and fundamental rights.

Speakers at the other function organized by the Aurat Foundation at the Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP) office, expressed concern over honour killing of women and demanded that law should framed to protect women from this scourge.

They demanded that society should ensure justice to all women which were the worst victims of all sorts of violence. They emphasized on all political parties, human rights organizations and social welfare organizations to collectively strive for the rights of women.

STRIKE: Shopkeepers in some localities here on Tuesday observed a shutter down strike on the call of Baloch Students Organization against the arrests of political activists and operation in the Marri camp.