Women in Pakistan
By Jehangir Karamat
Ambassador of Pakistan
Washington DC
Nicholas D. Kristof’s Sept. 20 column in
the New York Times was deeply disappointing. Instead
of offering a comment on the Pakistani government’s
policy on women’s issues, it was a vitriolic
and personal attack on President Pervez Musharraf.
Mr. Kristof has every right to express his opinion.
But about a subject taken as seriously by the
government of Pakistan as is women’s rights,
no one ought to engage in ad hominem attacks.
President Musharraf’s remarks in the United
States were sadly misinterpreted. He and the people
of Pakistan believe in the equality of women and
that violence against women is abhorrent and an
affront to our nation.
We invite a review of our government’s commitment
to women and its program specifically designed
to empower women in our country. This is an important
component of Pakistan’s development as a
progressive and modern state.
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