Spokesperson of Sindh Government and Advisor for Law, Environment & Coastal Development Barrister Murtaza Wahab, while addressing a special function on gender based violence, has said that gender discrimination is a painful aspect of our society. Problems of nature and trends in violence need to be understood. He said that not only the government but all stakeholders have a role to play in eradicating the trend of gender based violence. He said that this social evil can be overcome if civil society, government, legislature and judiciary all work together. He further said that thankfully now the society has become aware of this and because of this awareness the society is raising its voice for its rights. In this regard, the Sindh government has enacted a lot of legislation on social evils including gender based violence but to make the legislation effective, it must be implemented. “The judiciary has a very important role to play. If I know I will be punished for wrongdoing, I will never do wrong,” he said. The rule of law can solve problems. If the accused are honorably acquitted after ten years of trial in the courts, they will be encouraged instead of discouraged. “The case of Arzoo is before us,” he said. The Sindh Assembly has passed a law for those under 18 years of age. The state, in its discretion, registered a case against the accused but the judiciary first refused to arrest the accused and ordered him to provide protection. “ After reading the entire case of Arzoo, we again appealed to the judiciary and at the request of the Sindh government, the judiciary ordered the recovery of Arzoo. We have to think of everything, not just one wish or Zainab. How many aspirations of parents are buried by not knowing how to enforce the law. The rule of law must be followed to build a better society and the Sindh govt will enact more legislation in this regard. He said that the top leadership of PPP believes in justice and rule of law. The clear direction of our leadership is to establish the rule of law.” Provincial Minister Shehla Raza, Home Secretary Usman Chachar, Secretary Law Mansoor Abbas, Nazhat Shereen, Tabanda Soroush, Rubina Brohi, ASP Sahai Aziz Talpur and others were present on the occasion.
