There’s no honour in honour killing, govt firm to empower women: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday termed honour killing a despicable act saying it was his government s highest priority to empower women and end violence against them in the society.

Addressing at the launch of a documentary by Oscar award winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy here, the Prime Minister expressed his firm resolve to build a progressive Pakistan by giving an equal and respectable status to women.

Chinoy’s film ‘A girl in the river: The price of forgiveness’, which has been nominated for 88th Academy Awards, was screened at the PM Office as an initiative of Prime Minister Sharif to highlight the issue of honour killing at the government level.

The premier said the launch of documentary from his office was a manifestation of the government’s firm resolve to address the issue of honour killing which had nothing to do with religion. He mentioned a saying of Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that regards the most honourable man as the one who shows respect towards women.

“There is no honour in honour killing,” he said, adding that he was proud that a daughter of Pakistan through her art of filmmaking was contributing towards the betterment of society by working on challenging themes.

He commended Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy for her remarkable work and wished her success in the Academy Awards to be held later this month.

Later talking to journalists after watching the film, the Prime Minister said the society’s mindset about honour killings must be changed. The issue needed to be highlighted at various platforms to create awareness among the masses, he added.

Nawaz Sharif said he was keen to provide women a level playing field in accordance with the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam for the development and prosperity of country.

The event was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, ministers of State for Information Technology Anousha Rehman and of health Saira Afzal Tarar, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, envoys including Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong and human rights activists.

Prime Minister Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz also accompanied her father on the occasion.