Nawaz Sharif: Honour killing a "despicable act"

Islamabad, Feb 22: The "despicable act" of honour killing has nothing to do with religion, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said today after viewing an Oscar- nominated documentary about the issue.

Speaking here at the launch of the documentary by Oscar- winning film-maker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Sharif expressed his firm resolve to build a progressive Pakistan by giving an equal and respectable status to women.

Titled 'A girl in the river: The price of forgiveness' - which has been nominated for 88th Academy Awards, was screened at the Prime Minister's Office on his personal initiative to highlight the issue of honour killing in the country.

"There is no honour in honour killing," Sharif said, adding, "the issue has nothing to do with religion". The prime minister said he was proud that a "daughter of Pakistan" through her art of film-making was contributing towards the betterment of society.

Sharif said he was keen to provide women a level-playing field in accordance with the vision of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah for the development and prosperity of the country.

"Society's mindset about honour killings must be changed," he told reporters after watching the film. The issue needs to be highlighted at various platforms to create awareness among the masses, he said.

The event was attended by senior ministers including Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, foreign envoys, human rights activists and Maryam Sharif, the Prime Minister's daughter.

PTI