KARACHI, Sept 15: The Women Action Forum has condemned remarks made by President Pervez Musharraf regarding rape victims, particularly Mukhtaran Mai and urged the government to stand by the commitments it had made at numerous national and international forums with regard to safeguarding women’s rights.

The forum described as ‘outrageous’ his statement in an interview that Pakistani women would come out with claims of having been raped “in order to obtain visas or asylum abroad.”

It also denounced his contention that the whole issue of Mukhtaran Mai had been raised by those NGOs who appeared bent upon distorting Pakistan’s image abroad, and his allegation that those engaged in supporting the women victims of violence were motivated by money-making concerns.

The WAF said that such statements by the head of state would only serve to discourage civil society organizations and prevent them from participating in government initiatives. Such remarks, it added, could undermine the collective efforts towards addressing the issue of violence against women.

It reiterated its demand for the repeal of all laws discriminatory against women, further facilitation of women’s access to justice and increased support measures for those women falling victim to physical abuse or rights violation.