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| July 15, 2005 | Friday | Jumadi-us-Sani 7, 1426 |
Mukhtaran faces ‘threat to her life’
LAHORE, July 14: Mukhtaran Mai says that all her efforts are aimed at making the oppressed women, especially rape-victims, united against the feudal system. “Any punishment to the accused in my case will not bring me back my honour. The only purpose of my fight is to unite the oppressed women, especially rape-victims, against the feudal system,” the 30-year-old Meerwala gang-rape victim told Dawnduring her meeting with Chairperson Asma Jehangir of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan at the latter’s office.
The chairperson termed the Mai’s efforts a part of women’s international movement and said: “All womenfolk have been linked just because of torture against them. It is a link which no government can break.”
Mai said that she had been doing everything to fight against oppression. She believed that her endeavour would definitely bring in a change in the system.
“Our law is weak enough to ensure justice. People do all kinds of brutal acts but they are bailed out. Victims do not feel good while approaching police,” she said.
She said that her area was a true victim of the feudal system where not only women but also men and children were subjected to atrocities. “I am voicing against this system.”
Mai reiterated that she would go abroad whenever she got a chance. “God willing I will go abroad but whenever I go. I will get back to Pakistan at any cost.”
Had the prime minister asked her not to go anywhere, she would not have even insisted on leaving an inch out of Pakistan, she said.
“If I did not bow before oppression, how can I submit to any kind of restriction?” She said that she would convince women abroad to work together with Pakistani women in their efforts against oppression.
Why did President Musharraf think that Pakistan was only his homeland? she replied to a query about the president’s statement on her proposed visit to abroad. “Pakistan is mine too.”
Of her case, Mai said that she was satisfied with the latest decision of the courts. “I hope that the Supreme Court will ensure me justice and the justice means death sentence to all the accused in my case.”
She said that there were no more restrictions on her movement. However, she said that she had to inform the Muzaffargargh district police officer before going anywhere.
“They (the police) arrange me transport and squad for security.” Mai said that she faced a constant threat because she had dared challenge the system.
“Yes my life is under threat. I have challenged the system. It is obvious that you face danger when you challenge the system,” she added.
Mai said that the school she was running in Meerwala was a big success. “There are 200 girls and 160 boys in the school. These students are the first generation having a school right at their doorstep,” she said.
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