Protest at women candidates ban (Pakistan)

[Eugene]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4693035.stm

Last Updated: Monday, 18 July, 2005, 12:08 GMT 13:08 UK

Protest at women candidates ban
By Haroon Rashid
BBC News, Peshawar

Women human rights activists have protested in Pakistan's
north-western city of Peshawar against a ban on female local
election candidates.

The women protested outside the Peshawar Press Club on Monday saying
the move was unconstitutional. They demanded full representation in
polls.

Last week local politicians banned women from standing in upcoming
elections in the remote Dir district.

<snip>

It was sealed by local leaders of several political parties and
those of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's
Party, Imran Khan's Tehrik Insaf, the ruling People's Party Sherpao
and former premier Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N).

more...

[David__77]

1. Bhutto's party supports the ban, or opposes it?

I can't make out the meaning of "it was sealed by"--is that the decree or the protest against it. I have a hard time believing the Pakistan People's Party would support this.

[Eugene]

2. Local party leaders agreed to the ban.

I snipped a line about the agreement
referred to as "it" to keep the excerpt
under 4 paragraphs. Sorry for the confusion.

The article goes on to say that the central
government has done little to stop this.