Pakistan has reserved 60 seats for women in the 360-member National Assembly and 17 in the 100-member Senate with a view to empower women.

E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, a Congress MP who headed the Parliamentary Committee on Women's Reservation Bill, said: 'We have taken into account reservations of various political parties, NGOs and women groups. The decision has to be taken on two points - whether to share the available seats or add to the available seats.

'The issue is pending as the Lok Sabha was dissolved and a new committee will look into the matter. This is the most suitable time to get the women's reservation bill passed and the government is trying for it,' said Natchiappan.

Supporting the bill, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said: 'The reservation for women should also be started at the party level. Although it may be difficult, I hope we will be able to pass the women's reservation bill this time.'