DHAKA: The authorities in Saudi Arabia have stepped up warnings to women not to defy a ban on female drivers by taking part in a mass driving protest.

The interior ministry has reiterated that anyone flouting the ban is likely to face unspecified punishment.

Saturday’s planned protest is the third of its kind since 1990, reports the BBC.

About 17,000 people signed a petition calling either for women to be allowed to drive or for an explanation of why the prohibition should remain in force.

Campaigners are encouraging women to take to the wheel in defiance of the ban.

After the 1990 protest, a number of women were arrested or lost their jobs.

An interior ministry spokesman, Mansour al-Turki, considerably toughened the Saudi government line on the women drivers` campaign on Thursday.

A previous statement on Wednesday was confusing, with both those pro- and anti- the campaign believing it favoured them.

BDST: 1345 HRS, OCT 26, 2013
RoR/BSK