PESHAWAR, Nov 28: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Mian Ifikhar Hussain has called for granting women due status and economic opportunities to ensure development of the country.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘violence against women’ organised by White Ribbon Campaign Pakistan at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, the minister said women were integral part of the society, having greater contribution in economic development of the country.

He stressed the need for women empowerment and provision of equal opportunities to them. He admitted that women had not been given due status in Pakistani society, where ratio of violence against them was also increasing with every passing day.

Mr Iftikhar said women were facing embarrassing situation in the developing world, and their basic rights were being violated in the name of traditions and cultural norms.

“It is our religious obligation to give due status to women in the society and provide them with equal opportunities to enable them to play effective role in development of the country,” he said.

Earlier, addressing a health card distribution ceremony among journalists, the provincial minister expressed his displeasure over non-provision of health facility to journalists by certain media organisations. He said the government would take up the issue with media owners.

Mr Iftikhar claimed that the incumbent coalition government had upheld high democratic norms and followed a policy of consensus, which helped it complete its five year constitutional period.

The minister also mentioned that after suffering defeat the terrorists were now planning to send their representatives to parliament in order to impose their ideology on people.

He said more was needed to be done to wipe out militancy before the upcoming general elections.