A consultative meeting was held with members of civil society and parliamentarians on pending pro-women legislation in Balochistan on 11 February 2016, at Provincial Assembly Balochistan. Meeting was chaired by Honourable Speaker Balochistan Assembly Ms. Raheela Hameed Durrani, Dr. Shama Ishaq, Chairperson Standing Committee on Women Development, Social Welfare, Youth and Minorities, and members of standing committee. Ms. Salma Qureshi, Director Women Development Department (WDD), Ms. Irum Mehmood, Advocate High Court, and Law Department official also attended the discussion.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the pro-women legislative agenda, which includes bill on establishment of Balochistan Commission on the Status of Women and Balochistan Acid throwing prevention, protection and rehabilitation of survivors bill.  Both bills were presented by Ms. Salma Qureshi and different provisions of bills were discussed in detail by all participants.

Ms. Raheela Durrani said that meetings of standing committees are being called on regular basis in order to work on the pending pro-women legislation. Ms. Durrani suggested to Law Department and Women Development Department to have Urdu translation of proposed bills. Ms. Saima Javaid of Aurat Foundation suggested that ‘acid throwing prevention bill’ needs more consultation with key stake holders for the finalization of the draft.  It was also suggested that rule of business of any future act should be prepared by the concerned department while working for draft of bill. This will make the process of implementation easy and rapid.   

Honourable Speaker appreciated civil society supports to legislative bodies for envisioning and implementation of pro women legislation. She ensured that all pro-women bills/ resolutions will be discussed in detail before tabling in the assembly.