KARACHI, July 11: The National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) has recommended amendments in the Citizenship Act of the country, to provide equal opportunity, to acquire Pakistani nationality, to the spouse of Pakistani women married to foreign nationals.

Justice (Retd) Majida Rizvi, Chairperson of the NCSW, speaking at a meeting on the “Women’s Role in Reformation and Reconstruction of Society and Social Behaviours” held under aegis of Shura Hamdard, Karachi chapter, said the legal concession extended to foreigner wives of Pakistani men was also needed for women citizens of the country.

“The distinction is reflective of gender discrimination and needs to be rectified,” she stressed.

She said it was due to the efforts of the NCSW as well as of human rights activists that the children born to Pakistani mothers with fathers of alien origin have been authorised, through an amendment, to seek Pakistani citizenship. However, she said this was not enough and the discrimination in the Act needed to be removed.

Reminding that the Constitution guarantees all fundamental rights to women, she particularly referred to its article 25 which, she said provides for equality before the law, absolute protection and no discrimination on basis of sex.

The NCSW chief further said that the said article mentioned that state could make special provision for the protection of women and children and the article 34 ensured policy of full participation of women in all spheres of life.

“We are signatory to the Convention on Eradication of Discrimination Against Women and all other relevant international agreements,” she said, underscoring the need to honour the same.

She said concern of the NCWS with regard to lacunae in the Citizenship Act were also dispatched to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last year.

She condemned the brutal custom of Karo Kari, terming it premeditated murder, and urged the government to issue directives to police for ensuring registration of such cases.

Regarding the Hudood Laws, she said the way they were drafted was itself very discriminatory.

She said the NCSW had reviewed these laws and a report had been finalized to be presented before a special committee which was expected to make decisions by August to do away with all discriminatory laws.

She further mentioned that the NCSW was organizing an international women conference and was waiting for clearance from the government.

Sindh Information Secretary Mehtab Akber Rashdi, speaking at the meeting underscored the need for women participation in national development.

Condemning Karo kari, she said: “This has nothing to do with Sindh’s traditions or customs.”

Others who also spoke at the occasion included Saadia Rashid, president of the Hamdard Foundation, Shamim Kazmi, Haq Nawaz Akhter, Anwar ul Haq Siddiqui, Syed Mustafa Ali Barailvi, Akhter Begana, Mussarat Mukarram and Prof Nadeem Qureishi.—APP