Peshawar, Apr. 4 : Pakistan based human rights groups and civil society activists have lodged protest against the flogging of a 17-year-old girl by the Taliban in Swat.

"I was crying when I saw the footage on various TV channels. I was helpless. It's a shameful and inhuman act," the Daily Times quoted Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) NWFP Vice Chairwoman Musarrat Hilali, as saying.

The HRCP is observing a countrywide protest on Saturday.

Demanding action against Taliban that committed `an insult to women', human right activists also urged female members of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies to resign in protest.

Shabina Ayaz, the resident director of Aurat Foundation in Peshawar, condemned the flogging, and said civil society organisations are holding protests on Saturday.

"The violators of human rights had no right to flog a teenager in public and that too without any proof," said Shabina.

The executive director of Noor Education Trust, Zubaida Noor, expressed shock after learning about the flogging of the teenaged girl.

"This is complete distortion of Islam. It's not Islamic," Noor said, adding it was time for everyone to take a firm stand against such inhuman acts and lodge their protest.

She demanded the government bring all facts before the public, and she also objected to TV channels policy of repeatedly showing the footage. (ANI)