PESHAWAR, July 9: Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Salim Saifullah Khan has lauded President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s decision to issue an ordinance allowing for the release of women who are in jails for petty charges.

Talking to newsmen here on Sunday, Mr Khan said that as a result of the decision around 1,300 women arrested on charges other than murder and terrorism would be released.

He said it was a genuine issue and was a long-standing demand of people and human right activists.

The decision, he said, had also been welcomed by opposition MPs, including the daughter of JI amir Qazi Hussain Ahmad.—APP