KARACHI, April 25: Sindh Women Development Minister Dr Saeeda Malik has said that the constitution has given great importance to women along with ensuring their rights.

"Protection to fair gender guarantees protection to the nation," she said and maintained that if women were secured the coming generation would be secured. This would also result in emergence of an enlightened society, she added.

The minister said that women in Pakistan possessed a considerable representation in parliament and local government, which was only possible due to the provisions of the constitution regarding women rights.

Quoting President Musharraf's statement, she said that all gender discrimination would disappear by the year 2010 and women would be given 33 per cent seats in all department by the year 2015. This showed government's concern towards the development of women, she added.

Besides, she said, the separate ministry for women development was constituted so that special attention could be given to the welfare of women and their problems could be solved as early as possible. -PPI