August 25, 2007	Saturday	Sha’aban 11, 1428

MUZAFFARGARH, Aug 24: Women’s rights activist Mukhtar Mai is set to launch a movement for raising awareness among women about their rights and conducting open courts all over the country to redress their grievances.

Speaking to reporters at her Mirwala Women’s Crisis Centre on Friday, Mukhtar Mai said she would listen to the grievances of those women who had been victimised by their parents or husbands. The maiden open court would be held at Shehr Sultan tomorrow (Sunday).

She said she would make all possible efforts to solve the problems of the people turning up at courts. “If the problem will be complex, she will approach the district administration, the police or the media.”

Besides open courts, she plans to open up free schools for girls and adults at many villages. She said she herself was illiterate and was now getting education.

Mukhtar Mai’s political secretary Nasreen Akhtar said their organisation was opening up new schools for the poor women. She said Mukhtar Mai would announce during next week the date for the open forum to be held in Muzaffargarh city.

BOYCOTT: Clerks boycotted official duties by staying away from workplaces across the district on Friday to protest against denial of a raise.

Taking to the street, around 1,500 clerks observed strike against the government for not enhancing their salaries as was promised in the 2007-08 budget. They warned that if the finance secretary did not notify the decision, they would continue strike.