| They might even join the 19th Century some day. |
The move by the party of President Pervez Musharraf comes as part of the pro-US ruler’s policy of ‘enlightened moderation’, which aims to turn back conservative and Islamist customs and laws. ‘The Anti-Women Practices Bill will end the decades-old subjugation of women,’ said Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, after the bill was presented in the National Assembly.
The bill, which has yet to be adopted by parliament, would outlaw notorious customs like ‘vani’, where blood feuds in rural areas are settled by offering young girls in marriage to the offended party. The legislation would also end the practice of marrying women to the Koran -- the Islamic holy book -- which effectively deprives them of their right to inherit property.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the legislation would prevent the exploitation and discrimination of women and showed the government was committed to womenÂ’s rights.