Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain announced a gold medal for Karachi-born Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy whose documentary ‘Saving Face’ won the coveted Oscar Award. Hussain made the announcement over the phone while talking to the party’s Rabita Committee at party headquarters Nine-Zero. He said Chinoy had presented the case of women burnt by acid in a forceful manner, and the Oscar Award for her documentary is a source of honour not only for her, but for the entire country. Chinoy has presented before the world the plight of the oppressed women in Pakistan and paved the way for protecting the helpless women against whom injustices are routinely committed, he added. He directed the committee to hold a befitting reception for Chinoy when she returns to the country. He said there is no dearth of talent in the country, and wished for the people at the helm of affairs to adopt a merit-based system. It is the MQM’s belief that if the women of Pakistan are empowered, they have the potential to make the country’s name shine, he added. The MQM chief said the Oscar win is a good sign for the country, and it is a testimony to the fact that men and women of Pakistan are talented, with the potential to excel in every field of life.