DADU, Dec 2: Sindh Minister for Women Development Dr Saeeda Malik reiterated on Saturday that the Women’s Protection Bill had made women more secure.

She said that the bill had been prepared in the light of holy Quran and Sunnah dismissing the bill’s opposition from Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) as a political gimmick.

Talking to reporters at the Army Public School after inaugurating Women’s Festival 2006 organised by an NGO, Women Skill Development Organisation (WSDO) in collaboration with BHP Billiton, an oil and gas company, the minister claimed that the cases of honour killing and torture of women had reduced due to the government’s increased attention to the protection of women’s rights.

She said that it would be for the first time in the history of Pakistan that the assemblies would complete tenure and general elections would be held on time.

She said that her ministry had set up “day care centres” to train rural women in such skills which could enable them to work in any part of the world, and introduce their embroidery skills at national and international level.

Later, the minister visited different stalls set up by several NGOs. She was accompanied by MPA Dr. Sajeela Leghari, BHP Billiton External Affairs Manager Humera Malik and Women Skill Development Organisation Project Coordinator Ruqia Memon.

MMA: MMA leader Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro reiterated on Saturday that the Women’s Protection Bill was not in accordance with the holy Quran and Sunnah as it favoured the accused (men) more than the victims (women).