The Pakistani military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, has promised to tackle human rights abuses.

Opening a two-day convention in Islamabad, General Musharraf said he wanted to ensure that the rights and freedom of every Pakistani were guaranteed.

He said the practice of killing of women for supposed infringements of male pride had no place in religion or law, and would be treated as murder.

Correspondents say women in Pakistan can be killed for the flimsiest of reasons, such as talking to a man other than a male relative.

Correspondents say police and the courts often refuse to take action in such cases. General Musharraf also promised to end child labour and to halt abuses of controversial blasphemy laws, which have led to religious minorities being jailed for allegedly defaming Islam.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service