LAHORE: In the face of harsh criticism by religious forces, including the one sitting as the PML-N ally in National Assembly the JUI-Fazl, on the anti-domestic violence law, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has defended the legislation saying it is in line with the vision of the father of the nation.

“The Punjab government’s women development initiatives are in line with the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam. Role of women is critical for progress of Pakistan,” he said in a tweet from his official twitter account on Sunday.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F), Sirajul Haq (Jamaa-e-Islami) and Prof Sajid Mir (MJAH, also a PML-N ally) have rejected the law as anti-Islamic and a move to westernize the nation.

The JUI-F has even announced launching a campaign against the legislation.

In an earlier tweet on Feb 24 (when the law was passed by the Punjab Assembly), the chief minister said it is a good news that the assembly passed the Protect of Women against Violence Bill unanimously.

He said the law would ensure protection to women against domestic violence, psychological and economic exploitation, abusive language, stalking and cyber crime.

VISIT: The chief minister visited the residences of police constable Muhammad Asif who died in firing at a police picket in Allama Iqbal Town and two brothers Bahadur Ali and Safdar Ali who were murdered in Samanabad.

He expressed sympathies and condolences with the aggrieved families and announced provision of free houses to the widow of the constable and the mother of the deceased brothers as well as complete support for their children.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2016