LAHORE, Nov 19: PML President Shujaat Hussain on Sunday announced the establishment of a coordination group in parliament which, he said, would include ulema and MMA leaders, to point out anything un-Islamic in the recently-adopted Protection of Women’s Rights Bill.
"I take the responsibility of correcting the bill if it is proved that anything in it is repugnant to Islam. But no consultation would be held after Dec 31," he said while speaking at a convention organised by the PML women’s wing here.
The PML president said the government had fully consulted ulema during the preparation of the bill. Among them were those ulema belonging to different parties of the MMA. "We also consulted non-partisan ulema," he said, adding that the government could not even think of violating the injunctions of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
He said the government would prevent MMA leaders from resigning from the National Assembly. "We are even ready to hold talks with MMA leaders in this connection. But elections would be held on time," he said.
Chaudhry Shujaat said that MMA leaders were trying to politicise the bill, but despite that the PML was ready to satisfy both the MMA leaders and ulema that the law contained nothing un-Islamic.
He said the bill was aimed at preventing excesses against women, and another proposed bill sought to restore women’s rights that had been taken away from them.After the passage of the second bill, he said, he would invite President Pervez Musharraf to address a public meeting in the Qadhafi Stadium to let the world know who had restored women’s rights. Certain circles, he said, had tried to sabotage the bill but the PML had foiled all such attempts with its determination and internal unity.
Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said the PML had always respected the opinion of ulema, giving importance to their proposals. The new bill submitted by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also contained opinions of ulema.
He said the country’s history bore testimony that its religious leaders always supported the idea of giving rights to all sections of the society including women, and they never succumbed to political expediency.
The chief minister said the PML believed in consultation and democratic process and the women protection bill had also been adopted after about a year-long debate at different forums and through a political process.
The convention adopted a unanimous resolution congratulating President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Chaudhry Shujaat and National Assembly members for adopting the bill.
The resolution also supported the new bill presented by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain regarding the protection of women’s rights, expressing confidence that it would fully reflect Islamic teachings and principles.
The resolution expressed its confidence that the PML would continue its struggle for the restoration of women’s rights in the country.
