"\u003chtml xmlns:o=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\"\r\nxmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\"\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003chead\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; charset=windows-1252\"\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=ProgId content=Word.Document\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=Generator content=\"Microsoft Word 9\"\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=Originator content=\"Microsoft Word 9\"\u003e\r\n\u003clink rel=File-List href=\"./2002J10_files/filelist.xml\"\u003e\r\n\u003ctitle\u003eALL PAKISTAN WOMEN LAWYERS CONVENTION AT LAHORE\u003c/title\u003e\r\n\u003c!--[if gte mso 9]\u003e\u003cxml\u003e\r\n \u003co:DocumentProperties\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Author\u003ecosmos\u003c/o:Author\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Template\u003eNormal\u003c/o:Template\u003e\r\n  \u003co:LastAuthor\u003eSaif\u003c/o:LastAuthor\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Revision\u003e4\u003c/o:Revision\u003e\r\n  \u003co:TotalTime\u003e1\u003c/o:TotalTime\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Created\u003e2002-04-03T10:07:00Z\u003c/o:Created\u003e\r\n  \u003co:LastSaved\u003e2003-01-03T07:03:00Z\u003c/o:LastSaved\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Pages\u003e1\u003c/o:Pages\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Words\u003e1184\u003c/o:Words\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Characters\u003e6753\u003c/o:Characters\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Company\u003eoratier\u003c/o:Company\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Lines\u003e56\u003c/o:Lines\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Paragraphs\u003e13\u003c/o:Paragraphs\u003e\r\n  \u003co:CharactersWithSpaces\u003e8293\u003c/o:CharactersWithSpaces\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Version\u003e9.2720\u003c/o:Version\u003e\r\n \u003c/o:DocumentProperties\u003e\r\n\u003c/xml\u003e\u003c![endif]--\u003e\u003c!--[if gte mso 9]\u003e\u003cxml\u003e\r\n \u003cw:WordDocument\u003e\r\n  \u003cw:View\u003eNormal\u003c/w:View\u003e\r\n  \u003cw:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing\u003e2.85 pt\u003c/w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing\u003e\r\n  \u003cw:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery\u003e2\u003c/w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery\u003e\r\n \u003c/w:WordDocument\u003e\r\n\u003c/xml\u003e\u003c![endif]--\u003e\r\n\u003cstyle\u003e\r\n\u003c!--\r\n /* Style Definitions */\r\np.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal\r\n\t{mso-style-parent:\"\";\r\n\tmargin:0in;\r\n\tmargin-bottom:.0001pt;\r\n\tmso-pagination:widow-orphan;\r\n\tfont-size:12.0pt;\r\n\tfont-family:\"Times New Roman\";\r\n\tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";}\r\n@page Section1\r\n\t{size:6.35in 841.7pt;\r\n\tmargin:.75in 0in 2.9pt .35in;\r\n\tmso-header-margin:.5in;\r\n\tmso-footer-margin:.5in;\r\n\tmso-paper-source:0;}\r\ndiv.Section1\r\n\t{page:Section1;}\r\n--\u003e\r\n\u003c/style\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cscript language=\"JavaScript\"\u003e\r\n\u003c!--\r\nfunction NoSelect()\r\n{\r\n{alert(\"OOoops! 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The theme namely \u0027Rule of Law in the Gender Perspective\u0027 is\r\npertinent and relevant to the present time and developments. It was a welcome\r\nopportunity to hear comments and views of distinguished speakers. It was indeed\r\na rewarding experience and I am thankful to the organisers for providing me\r\nthis opportunity to listen to extremely valuable discourse and to share with\r\nyou my own perception on the subject. \u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e     \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eThe theme is relevant and\r\npertinent today, as we stand at the threshold of fast evolving events and\r\ndevelopments. The rule of law and its implementation, indeed furnishes the\r\nbedrock to good governance, sustainable economic growth and social development.\r\nDevelopment efforts could not gain momentum so long as 50 % of the female\r\npopulation remains secluded or restrained in fully participating in the\r\ndevelopment process. In the contemporary world, we don\u0027t find precedence of\r\nnations developing and attaining economic prosperity, without the full and\r\neffective utilisation of the collective potentialities of its people, without\r\nany distinction or differentiation on the basis of race, language, ethnicity or\r\ngender. We better learn this lesson, and we better learn it quickly if we have\r\nto march forward and achieve progress and prosperity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eThe concept of rule of law is not\r\nvery old. Under the western legal traditions, this concept evolved slowly but\r\ngradually, in tandem with like notions namely constitutional rule, democratic\r\ngovernance, observance of fundamental rights and freedoms, etc. Professor A V\r\nDicey, in his famous book, entitled, \u0026quot;An Introduction to the Study of the\r\nLaw of the Constitution\u0026quot;, defines this concept as meaning 3 expressions:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e(1) That no person can be\r\npunished or made to suffer in body, property or reputation, except for a\r\ndistinct breach of law, established by the ordinary Court of law, through\r\nprescribed procedure;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e(2) That no person is above the\r\nlaw and everyone, whatever his/her rank or condition in life, is subject to the\r\nlaw of the land and amenable to the court jurisdiction; and\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e(3) That the fundamental rights\r\nand freedoms enjoyed by the people are indeed the general principles derived\r\nfrom judicial precedents and guaranteed by the Constitution.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eRead the Constitution of Pakistan\r\nand you would find these expressions duly enumerated and guaranteed. Such\r\nsafeguards are available to all citizens, irrespective of any differentiation\r\nor discrimination on any ground whatsoever. In some cases the constitutional\r\nprotections go a step further in respect of weak or vulnerable sections of\r\nsociety, by obliging the State to take special measures in their favour. Thus,\r\none finds specific affirmative exhortations in respect of women, children,\r\nminorities and labour.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eThe first and foremost direct and\r\ncategorical provision on the rule of law or supremacy of law is given by\r\nArticle 4, which provides for the right of an individual` to be dealt with in\r\naccordance with law and to be given the protection of law. This Article is\r\nunique and unparalleled. It clearly declares that law must reign supreme and\r\nevery action against the individual must be grounded on, and be in accordance\r\nwith the prescribed due process procedure The Preamble as well as Article 2A of\r\nthe Constitution also lay emphasis on the guarantee of fundamental rights to\r\nall citizens including the right to the equality of status, equality of\r\nopportunity and equality before law. Similarly, Articles 25, 26, \u0026amp; 27 not\r\nonly proclaim the equality of citizens but also prohibit discrimination on the\r\nbasis of sex. Indeed Articles 25 \u0026amp; 27 further speak of special measures to\r\nbe taken for the protection of women. In a sense, the Constitution acknowledges\r\nthe prevalent gender inequalities, perpetrated by the patriarchal system and\r\ncenturies old discriminatory customs and traditions. It, therefore, empowers\r\nthe State to take positive and affirmative actions, so as to do away with the\r\nprevailing discriminatory norms and practices and establish both legal and\r\nfactual equality in the society.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eIt is an irony that the Islamic\r\nnorms and principles on the dignity and equality of human person and\r\ninviolability of honour and property, are not fully applied or practised.\r\nSeveral Qura\u0027nic Verses and traditions of the Holy Prophet proclaim gender\r\nequality. Islam devotes a considerable part of its philosophy and teaching to\r\nthe, objective of female emancipation and empowerment. Accordingly, it accords\r\nmen and women alike, civil, political, social and economic rights. It is a\r\ntragedy though, that such positive image of Islam has not been successfully\r\nconveyed, and misconceived religious notions have distorted the true and\r\nuniversal message of Islam. The Qura\u0027nic verses state in unequivocal words that\r\nwomen shall have rights similar to the rights against them, according to what\r\nis equitable (II:228). They further state that there shall be no distinction,\r\namong men and women, in the area of moral and spiritual rights and obligations\r\n(XXXIII: 35). Islam accords to women, equality of status and opportunities in\r\nthe exercise of civil political social and economic rights. What is required\r\nnow, therefore, is to translate the Islamic injunctions into concrete actions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eA perusal of judicial pronouncements\r\non the issue of gender equality would reveal that the superior courts have\r\ngenerally tried to enforce the Islamic injunctions and constitutional\r\nsafeguards by protecting the rights of women. In doing so, they have equally\r\nsupported the affirmative provisions in the Constitution. Thus, in the case of\r\nInayat Bibi v Issac Nazirullah (PLD 1992 SC 385), the Supreme Court decided\r\nthat notwithstanding the prevalent customary law, a Christian woman might\r\ninherit property in presence of male heirs. In the case of Ghulam Ali v Mst.\r\nGhulam Sarwar Naqvi (PLD 1990 SC 1), the Court rejected the plea of\r\n\u0026quot;adverse possession\u0026quot; by the brother and clarified that such a claim\r\nis untenable to oust the sister\u0027s right to inherit her legal share in the ancestral\r\nproperty. Similarly, in the case of Shirin Munir v Government of Pakistan (PLD\r\n1990 SC 295), the Supreme Court ruled that special seats, over and above the\r\nmerit entitlement, might be reserved for girl students in co educational\r\ninstitutions, as the same is permissible under Article 25 (3) of the\r\nConstitution. Many other rulings have clarified and expanded the rights and\r\nentitlements of women, available under the law, Constitution or Islamic\r\ninjunctions.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eIt is unfortunate, therefore,\r\nthat notwithstanding the positive Islamic norms and mandatory constitutional\r\nprovisions, discriminatory laws and procedures continue to exist, thereby\r\ndepriving women of availing their legal and fundamental rights and\r\nentitlements. This state of affairs deprives them to fully and effectively\r\nparticipate in national affairs and contribute their worth to national\r\ndevelopment and prosperity. Such a state of affairs must not last any longer.\r\nIt is time that discriminatory laws and procedures are reviewed, with a view to\r\namend and reform the same. The Pakistan Law Commission have, in the past, made\r\ncertain recommendations in this respect including improving the Muslims Family\r\nLaws Ordinance, Muslims Family Court Act, Dowry and Bridal Gifts Restriction\r\nAct and the various statutes dealing with the Maternity Benefits for working\r\nwomen. The purpose of these recommendations is to enhance the status of women\r\nin the society. The Commission is also currently reviewing the Citizenship Act\r\nand some other discriminatory law, so as to remove therefrom unjust and\r\ndiscriminatory clauses. In my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, I should\r\nbe interested to receive from the members of the bar, and indeed, the general\r\npublic, any suggestions or recommendations to this effect for consideration by\r\nthe Commission.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003eBefore I conclude, let me thank\r\nthe organisers, once more, for their invitation to chair this function and\r\nshare with your views.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify\u0027\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal\u003e\u003c![if !supportEmptyParas]\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c![endif]\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/body\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/html\u003e\r\n"