LAHORE: The women of Lahore yesterday condemned a move in the National Assembly for repealing the Family Laws Ordinance.

They organised a public meeting at Golbagh here and passed a resolution expressing their “deepest sense of gratitude” to President Ayub Khan for promulgating the Family Laws Ordinance and safeguarding the rights of women in Pakistan, but condemning the move by MNA Maulana Abbas Ali Khan for repealing the Ordinance.

They also demanded that women members be appointed on the proposed Islamic Ideology Council and that women be given representation on population basis.

After the meeting, the women formed a procession and walked all the way from Golbagh in the scorching heat to the Assembly chambers to place their demands before the Provincial Ministers and members of the Provincial Assembly.

On their arrival at the Assembly chambers, they were met by Ministers Pir Mohammad Khan and Abdul Qadir Sanjrani who assured them of their sympathies and told them that they would do their level best to preserve the Family Laws Ordinance.

The processionists also burnt the effigy of MNA Abbas Ali before the Assembly chambers.

Earlier, addressing the meeting at Golbagh, MPA Begum Shah Nawaz said the repeal of the Family Laws would stop the emancipation of women. She said Islam had given women equal rights with men, and called upon them to safeguard their rights.  — Agencies

Iran set to mediate Pak-Afghan talks

RAWALPINDI: The Shahinshah of Iran will arrange a meeting between President Ayub Khan and King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan. The Shah may visit Kabul this week. — Staff Correspondent