ISLAMABAD, March 4: The Pakistan People's Party has ordered an inquiry into press reports saying that regional leaders and office-bearers of major political parties, including the PPP , have made an agreement to stop women from voting in the forthcoming by-elections to local bodies in Lower Dir in the Frontier province.

A section of the press on Thursday reported that on the occasion of local bodies by-polls in Dir, regional leaders of major political parties decided not to allow women voters to cast votes.

There are 204 women councillors in the 34 union councils in lower Dir. Out of this 136 are the women general seats and 68 seats are reserved for women peasants and workers.

In the local polls held in 2001, only six women were elected on the general and only 2 were elected on the seats reserved for women peasants and workers. By-elections to the vacant 196 women general and reserved seats are to be held soon.

The PPP chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, has directed the secretary- general of the party, Jehangir Badr, to verify the veracity of the press reports about banning women to take part in by-elections in NWFP.

She directed the secretary-general that an immediate inquiry be held as to who was responsible for accepting this ban that violated the charter of equal gender rights and the manifesto of the Pakistan People's Party.

Gender equality, emancipation of women and women participation in social and political development is a major plank of the party and enshrined in the party's manifesto. Ms Bhutto also asked the secretary-general to immediately reverse the decision if the press reports about banning women from voting were true.