ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that Islam entitles men and women with equal rights, while praising the initiative taken by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary against honour killing, ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness.’

“Sharmeen is a proud daughter of Pakistan, and the struggle for women rights has always been challenging, but nothing can justify the oppression against women,” said the premier at the screening of the documentary at the Prime Minister House.

Sharmeen echoed the sentiments of the premier, and said “Islam discourages violence against women, and there is no honour in honour killings.”

The prime minister reiterated that there should be no discrimination on the basis of creed, colour or caste in the Pakistani society.

“It is the government’s priority to ensure women rights, and the government will take administrative measures against honour killings,” elaborated the premier.

Speaking at the special screening arranged for the prime minister, Sharmeen further stated that no religion allows to kill women in the name of honour.

“Islam entitles women with fundamental rights, and the government should be committed to plug loopholes in legislation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured us that measures would be taken against honour killings,” said Sharmeen.

The announcement of the screening at PM House came after the Oscar-winning documentary maker met PM Nawaz at his official residence earlier.

PM Nawaz Sharif had stated honour killing was a critical issue and voiced his government’s determination to eradicate this practice from society.

Such customs and practices, he had said, had nothing to do with Islam.

A Girl in the River, which is a joint production of Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy (SOC) Films and Home Box Office (HBO), follows the life of an 18-year-old girl who is a survivor of an honour killing attempt.

Chinoy, who won Pakistan’s first Academy Award for her documentary ‘Saving Face’ at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in 2012, thanked the PM for supporting her endeavours to end honour killings in the country and revive a progressive image of Pakistan.