RAWALPINDI, March 8: Local leaders and supporters of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) at a rally here on Tuesday accused the government of committing gross human rights violations , and demanded that party chairperson Benazir Bhutto should be allowed to return to the country.

The rally was organized by the PPP women's wing in connection with International Women's Day. About two hundred women supporters and activists participated in the walk.

The rally, which originated from the party office on Liaquat Road and terminated at Committee Chowk, was led by Fauzia Habib, MNA; Azra Bano, MPA; Rukhsana Bashir, general secretary PPP Punjab Labour Bureau, Sumaira Gul, general secretary PPP Rawalpindi, and Nusrat Rasheed.

The participants were holding banners and placards inscribed with anti-government slogans and demands for the early return of Ms Bhutto. "Women should be given legal, social and political rights," and "We have to bring Benazir back to save Pakistan," read the banners.

Speaking on the occasion, Fauzia Habib said the day was celebrated all over the world to raise awareness of women's rights. She said the PPP was the only party which had been working for the rights of the poor and the oppressed sections of society. She also paid tributes to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for his services to democracy and women's rights.

Sumaira Gul demanded that women be given constitutional, political and social rights. She stressed on the economic empowerment of women and urged the government to take steps to make working environment women-friendly.

She criticized the government proposal to reduce union council seats which would affect women's representation at the grass- roots level. Rukhsana Bashir highlighted the violations of fundamental human rights, especially women's rights. She criticized the government for unchecked price hikes, unemployment, pressing poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor.

She said the government had ignored the problems of the common man. Women's rights were being usurped and they were not given their rightful status, she added. She said socio-economic problems of the common man had multiplied. As a result, there have been suicide attempts and a sense of deprivation amongst the people. The assemblies are only nominal because actual power does not rest with the elected representatives, she said.

A reporter adds: A number of public and private sector organizations on Tuesday arranged different programmes and discussion sessions to mark the International Women's Day based on this year's theme "Gender equality beyond 2005: building a more secure future".

Various events were held with a view to assessing challenges faced by women and the progress made for enhancing their status. The International Women's Day activities kicked off with an event, titled Bol Key Lab Hain Azaad Teray, organized by the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation.

Federal Minister for Social Welfare & Special Education Zobaida Jalal was the chief guest on the occasion. The event focused on various problems being faced by women endeavouring to secure their rights and earn their livelihood in a male-dominated society.

Speakers emphasized on "legal empowerment" of women, terming it far more important than their economic empowerment. Role and importance of women representation in the parliament was also discussed. The fact that women parliamentarians had done little to help suppressed Pakistani women was also raised during the talks.

The minister stressed the importance of women education, and called for making women aware of their rights as enshrined in Islam and law of the country. Media, civil society and parliamentarians were also urged to play an active role for empowerment of women in the country.

Later, in the evening, civil society organizations from Islamabad and Rawalpindi arranged a programme based on the theme "Women and Peace" at the NIC building auditorium.

The programme was jointly organized by Sangi Development Foundation, Action Aid, Aurat Foundation, Bedari, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, IRM, Pattan Development Organization, PODA, Rozen, Sachet, Sach, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), SPO and WAF.

The event included stage performances, condemning practice of dowry and violence against women, by Sachet's Agahi Theatre Group. A performance by Fatima Jinnah Women University highlighted sexual violence.