ISLAMABAD, Aug 18: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Kunwar Khalid Younus has expressed his concern over reports from various parts of the country on barring of women from taking part in the local government elections.

Talking to Dawn on Thursday, he said it was unfortunate that women had been stopped from casting votes in three provinces of the country.

Mr Younus said the most surprising aspect of the fact was that women were also not allowed to cast votes in Punjab, which was considered a progressive province.

He said media had reported that in several areas, especially in the NWFP, women had been barred from going to polling stations by their relatives.

The MQM leader said a large number of women cast their votes in Sindh. He said even Pakhtoon women were seen visiting the polling stations in Karachi. He said those religious party leaders, particularly the MMA, who were against women’s participation in the elections, were themselves seen taking women to polling stations in their vehicles.

Mr Younus suggested that the government should declare the results null and void where turnout of women remained less than 15 per cent.

He regretted that when conservative societies like Saudi Arab, Kuwait and the Middle Eastern countries were accommodating women in legislatures, Pakistan was going backward in women voting.