LARKANA, April 6: Strong legislation is needed to eradicade the practice of killing people under the cruel custom of karo-kari. This was stated by the Leader of Opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, while launching a campaign aimed at ending the curse of karo-kari under the theme of “we can end killings under karo-kari” held under the auspices of Indus Development Society (IDS) here on Wednesday night.

He said it was a hypocrisy that “we get vote from women to capture power but kill them only to suit our interests” and in the same breath accused landlords using women as ‘compensation’ to settle disputes.

He called for supporting women and do away with gender discrimination. He said the report of Inspector General of Police Sindh from 1997 to 2003 showed that out of 910 murders committed in the province only 25 persons were punished. This situation demands stern action and that would only come through concrete legislation and enforcement of the law. Opposing the sell of women, he criticized torturing them under minor issues.

Khalid Iqbal Memon MNA said that this kind of crime had always flourished during military governments while democracy trains people against such crime. He said Sindh should better get rid of killings taking place in the name of custom.

MPA Ayaz Soomro held feudal lords sitting in the power corridors responsible for increase in this crime and said generating awareness among masses to check the crime was must.

The courts should take notice of it.

Mohammad Bachal Tunio called for people’s prime role in discouraging the trend of karo-kari. He condemned the holding of jirgas by the landlords.