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Government believes in women emancipation: Kaira

Posted on: Sat November 27, 2010

ISLAMABAD  : Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Friday that the government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), guided by the vision of its leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, has always believed in women s emancipation and the issue has always been one of the salient points of the party s manifesto.

While speaking as chief guest at the opening session of two-day conference on women universities as agents of change by International Islamic University (IIU), he said that no society can progress without active participation of women in nation building.

He said that being a worker of the party of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he believes that there is only one way of progress for the country and that is provision of equal opportunities of education and employment to the women.

Kaira further said the radicalisation of Pakistani society some 30 years back at the behest of the west proved a hindrance in the way of empowerment of women. He said that the greatest challenge that we face today is from the forces of monologue that want to impose their brand of religion over the entire society. Unless we defeat them and encourage diversity in the society, we cannot make real progress, he added.

He added that by the efforts of the present government, civil society and media, status quo has been broken but still we need to make concerted efforts to achieve a liberal and tolerant Pakistan.

The minister informed that the government has planned to initiate a process of open dialogues at the university, college and school level to promote diversity in the society. He expressed satisfaction over the increasing trend of women taking up jobs in the society which, he said, is partially due to increasing financial needs.

About Benazir Income Support Programme, he said that its cards are issued to women heads of the family to empower them in the far-flung rural areas. He said despite the fact that this step was opposed by many circles, PPP leadership did not make any compromise and the results are very encouraging.

Later, talking to media persons, Kaira said government has to compensate victims of the devastating floods and for this purpose, it is striving for approval of a minor flood relief tax from parliament. He added that if, as a nation, we cannot contribute anything for the flood victims, we have no moral justification to appeal to the world community for help.

About Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST), he stated that before presenting RGST bill in the parliament, government took all stakeholders in confidence, besides getting approval from the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in this regard. He clarified that PPP, being a democratic party, came to power through people s votes and it is well aware of their problems, but has to take difficult decisions for strengthening the economy.

To a question about tax on agriculture, the minister said many taxes have already been imposed on agricultural inputs and after the passage of 18th constitutional amendment, only provinces can impose tax on this sector.

While replying to another question, he said that there is a great potential to promote tourism in the country, but it has been badly affected due to terrorist activities. He pointed out that the government has taken several steps to improve law and order situation in the country, which have started paying dividends, but still, it will take sometime to make Pakistan a truly peaceful society again. To a question, Kaira said the local chapter of Transparency International is working freely in Pakistan. Our only objection is over its methodology, which is based on perception, he remarked.

Courtesy : Business Recorder