ISLAMABAD, June 13: The All-Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) has urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu action in the Mukhtar Mai case and provide her justice and protection. In a statement here on Monday, Chairman of the APMA, Shahbaz Bhatti, criticized the government for putting Mukhtar Mai’s name in the Exist Control List. “It is totally unjust and a violation of basic human rights,” he maintained.

“Mukhtar Mai has already been victimized and intimidated and such steps will further harass and terrorise her. The government should remove her name immediately from the Exist Control List and lift restrictions on her movement.” Mr Bhatti said women of Pakistan were facing unconstitutional, unethical and unjust treatment.

They are victimized, harassed and targeted under Hudood and other discriminatory laws. In a situation where even the law of the land is not effective in protecting their lives and honour, the sense of deprivation and insecurity has increased among the marginalized and poor women of the country.

He demanded that the government should abolish all discriminatory laws, including the Hudood ordinances, against women and establish special tribunals to provide speedy justice to the victims.