PESHAWAR, Oct 24: The All Pakistan Women’s Association (Apwa)-National has appointed former MNA and women’s rights activist, Begum Zari Sarfaraz as provincial chairperson of the association.

Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, the central office-holders of Apwa pledged that the newly-appointed cabinet would safeguard the interest of the association as well as that of the disadvantaged groups including women and children.

“We have to start a new chapter from now onwards as due to the activities of the former office-holders, who were dismissed by the Apwa-National, the image of the association had been tarnished,” said the central secretary-general, Yasmeen Dastoor.

The governor’s wife has agreed to be their patron. The other office-holders are vice-chairperson, Mussarat Hillali and general secretary, Ayesha Bukhari. The provincial executive council members are Bushra Gohar, Robina Gillani, Sitara Ayaz and Maimoona Masood Khan.

The national chairperson, Tazeen Faridi informed that the purpose of their visit to Peshawar was to appoint the provincial body. She informed that Begum Sarfaraz would function as the provincial chairperson until 2005, when proper elections would be held.

Others who addressed the news conference included Begum Sarfaraz, executive vice-president, Laila Haroon Sarfaraz, and chairperson of Apwa projects, Mehr Kirmani.

Ms Dastoor said that they were sorry for the manners in which Apwa’s affairs were being run for the last two decades.