January 11, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 20, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 10: The government would introduce legislation aimed at regulating the sale of acids and would punish those who throw acids on women, said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

This he stated while chairing a meeting of the ministry of women development on Wednesday. The prime minister directed the minister concerned to prepare legislation in coordination with the ministry of law and justice.

The government was keen on enhancing the status of women for which a number of legislative measures had been introduced, he said, adding that the Protection of Women Act was historic. More legislation was on the anvil in order to do away with the anti-women laws and social practices.

The steps adopted by the government had helped in political, social and economic empowerment of the fairer sex by giving a boost to their representation in every filed, said the premier. The government believed in equality.

For their economic empowerment, the ministry should adopt a holistic approach and create opportunities by using micro credit and similar facilities because for a prosperous nation, participation of women in the process of development is a must, he added.

While appreciating the role of the ministry in the betterment of women, he laid stress on honing their skills.

The ministry in their presentation informed the PM that it, with the participation of all stakeholders in public and private sector, including donors was doing all to achieve their goals.

The Minister for Women Development, Ms Sumaira Malik informed of the training of 21,000 female councillors under the political school project adding that about 10 per cent quota for them in the Civil Services has been approved with the setting up of 21 district resource centres.

She said that funds for income generation through micro finance for rural female folks have become operational while the Gender Reforms Action Plan (GRAP) has been successfully launched.