Pakistan"s president signed a bill to increase...

The bill increased punishment for the offence to up to three years in prison or a fine of up to $6,000.

President Asif Ali Zardari, who signed the bill in the presence of a large number of women late on Friday, said women"s empowerment was a "cherished dream of Benazir Bhutto, who fought for this cause throughout her life."

The bill is an amendment to the 2006 law on the protection of women, which was criticized by the Islamic opposition as running counter to the norms of Islam.

MOSCOW, January 30 (RIA Novosti)