PESHAWAR, Nov 19: A meeting of the PML cultural wing, held here on Sunday, welcomed the passage of Women Protection Bill 2006 and termed it an achievement of the federal government.

“President General Pervez Musharraf and PML government have given respect to womenfolk on every occasion and women are thankful to them for making their dream come true.”

These views were expressed during the meeting presided over by its provincial PML president Habib Qureshi.

The meeting was attended by all office-bearers at the PML secretariat.

Mr Qureshi said the bill was in conformity with Islam and its implementation would provide protection to women. “The government's intention behind the passage of this bill was to give rights to womenfolk as enshrined in Islam,” said Mr Qureshi.

Women's rights were exploited in the past but no one had the courage to lay hand on it, he added.

General Secretary of the wing Shahida Mazhar also welcomed the bill and termed it reflective of the inspiration of womenfolk.

“Credit goes to the president, federal government and lawmakers who voted in favour of the bill,” she said adding that it was good that a government at least thought of giving rights to women as in the past the rulers did nothing except lip service.—APP