ISLAMABAD, March 29: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Women Development Nilofar Bakhtiar on Monday called on the chief election commissioner, Justice (retired) Irshad Hassan Khan , and asked him to take punitive action against those responsible for not allowing women to participate in the by-elections in Lower Dir district.

During the meeting, the adviser said it was a matter of shame for the entire society that women, being half of the country's population, were not allowed to exercise their constitutional right of contesting elections and casting their votes. However, she reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a level-playing field to women at all levels and in all walks of life.