Officials admit Mai case mishandling...

June 20th,2005. ISLAMABAD (NNI) - Advisor to Prime Minister on Women Affairs Nilofer Bakhtiar has said that the government had imposed a temporary ban on foreign tour of gang-rape victim Mukhtaran Mai fearing that some NGOs might use this issue to damage country?s image abroad. High-ranking government officials have admitted that the decision of putting Mukhtaran Mai on ECL and the way the decision was defended made the country target of unnecessary and strong international criticism. As General Pervez Musharraf was on important foreign visits to Australia and New Zealand, he had to explain Mukhtaran Mai?s issue before the media of the host countries. On the other hand, Nilofer Bakhtiar said that there was no ban on Mukhtaran Mai and she could take her passport back if she wants to. Talking to the VOA, she said that Mai was a free citizen of the country and a symbol of women empowerment. ?We view her with respect,? she stated. She disclosed that a team would visit Meerwala on June 30, so that work on the project, named after her, Women Crisis Centre, could be started. Talking to the VOA by telephone from Meerwala, Mukhtaran Mai said that the passport was still with the officials concerned, who had told her that after some days they would return it to her. ?Pakistan is for all, Pervez Musharraf, for me and for all. As Pervez Musharraf cannot talk against Pakistan, how can we do that. Pakistan is for us?, she observed. Nilofer Bakhtiar said that some NGOs had been trying to use Mukhtaran Mai?s case for personal gains and they intended to defame Pakistan.