PTI on the Swat flogging

Sunday, April 19, 2009

This is to correct the impression of two readers whose letters appeared on these pages on April 9 with regard to the stand taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on the Swat girl's flogging issue. The PTI was the first party to demand an inquiry into the authenticity of the said video. In a statement issued by our party's central information secretary, we had asked the chief justice to take note of this and we had demanded that the writ of the law be imposed on those who perpetrate such crimes. As far as our party's policy is concerned there is no ambiguity or confusion on this issue. We would also like to remind your readers that the PTI has always stood for the rule of law, and as a consequence has paid a high price for this.
We, like every citizen of this country, abhor the shameful and inhuman practices of degrading women, be it the alleged flogging of a girl in Swat, or the very real case of burying five women alive in Balochistan. We have always spoken out against vani, swara as well as harassment and teasing of girls and women so as to restrain their movement. The PTI believes in equal rights and justice for all no matter what their gender, cast or creed. We are not the protectors of the Taliban or any other group, but we are certainly proud Muslims.

Talath Naqvi
Information secretary,
Women's wing, PTI Punjab
Lahore