BREAKING NEWS

Pakistani director wins Oscar for film on acid attacks

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani filmmaker andfirst-time Oscar nominee Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy won an AcademyAward on Monday for her documentary about acid attack victims, afirst for a Pakistani director.

Her victory shines a spotlight on a subject which affectsthousands of women in Pakistan and elsewhere, but which isseldom discussed at home.

In her acceptance speech, Chinoy dedicated the award to thewomen of Pakistan. "All the women in Pakistan working forchange, don't give up on your dreams, this is for you," shesaid.

'Saving Face' chronicles the work of British Pakistaniplastic surgeon Mohammad Jawad, who performed reconstructivesurgery on survivors of acid attacks in Pakistan.

More than 100 people, mainly women and girls, are disfiguredin acid attacks every year in Pakistan, although groups helpingsurvivors say many more cases go unreported.