Zardari signs bill against women harassment at workplace

Karachi, Jan.30 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed legislation against harassment of women at workplaces.

'The Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill 2009' makes the offence punishable with imprisonment, which may extend to three years, or a fine of up to 500,000 rupees or both.

"Our government, in line with the vision of Benazir Bhutto, is taking steps to ensure that women of this country are not only emancipated from exploitation of all forms, but are also empowered in the true sense," Zardari said after approving the amendments to both the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Zardari stressed on the need for providing financial security and creating more opportunities for women in the country.

The bill has already been passed by the National Assembly (NA).

However, leaders belonging to parties such as the Jamaat-e Islam (JI) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) had objected to the bill in the lower house, saying that it was a violation of the fundamental norms of Islam and the constitution.

They said that such a law would promote "vulgarity among women", and proposed sending the bill to the Council of Islamic Ideology for further review. (ANI)