KARACHI, Feb 16: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has said his party wants women empowerment by striving for their due rights.

In his telephonic address from London, he stated this while talking to the women workers of Defence who supported the Muttahida candidate in by-poll.

Altaf Hussain said his party had always taken practical steps for the rights of women and condemned injustices against women.

He said the MQM had given protection to Shazia Almani, a victim of karo kari, and Shazia Khalid, who was allegedly assaulted in Sui. Besides, the party had given protection to Nasima Bano, who was ganged raped in Obaoro, and shifted her to Karachi for medical treatment.

He criticised religious parties for their propaganda against the MQM that it was following western culture. He also said Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto never raised voice for elimination of outdated customs.—Staff Reporter