LAHORE: The Women Action Forum (WAF) expressed shock and outrage at the way the Punjab government has allegedly succumbed to pressure from the religious lobby and put the Women Protection Bill on hold.

According to a press release issued by the WAF on Wednesday, the reaction of religious parties was not surprising.

“As a political strategy, the Jamaat-i-Islami and other parties of the religious right had always played the ‘Islam is in danger’ card to gain public visibility. What is shocking and unacceptable is the elected government’s response to this blackmail. In succumbing to this pressure not only is the elected government undermining its own legitimacy, it is also raising serious doubts about its sincerity and commitment to women’s right to life and safety,” the forum stated.

It said it wanted to remind the Punjab government that domestic violence bills had already been passed by the Sindh and Balochistan assemblies without any backlash from the religious lobby.

In its March 8 statement, the WAF had welcomed the Women Protection Bill as a step in the right direction, while stating the bill itself needed strengthening in line with similar bills passed by Sindh and Balochistan. The WAF demanded any amendments to the bill must make it more effective in providing protection to women rather than diluting its effect.

It also said as such amendments should be made in consultation with women, who across class were the most vulnerable to domestic violence and not under pressure from a lobby that had “consistently promoted its own political agendas by misusing religion to endanger women and undermine their position and status in society”.

The WAF demanded the Punjab government not only ensure the passage of the bill, but also make it more effective by criminalising violence and ensuring its commencement province-wise and not in its current piece meal form.

CIVIL SOCIETY: Rights activists have condemned voices against the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2015 demanding the government not bow down to the pressure of clerics.

The Pakistan Civil Society Forum (PCSF), a representative body of more than 50 human rights and development organisations, expressed its surprise over how the legislation for protecting women against violence was being declared “an act against Sharia despite the fact that Sharia protects the rights of the women”.

In a statement here on Wednesday, the PCSF said: “Opposing this law in fact is an act against the Constitution, which provides for equal protection to all citizens. Similarly, international commitments, which the state has made in terms of ratifying covenants require to respect all human rights. The Act is not about Sharia rather it is all about human rights. Pakistan is a democratic state and is being run under a Constitution which guarantees for the protection of everyone.”

It further stated: “The civil society organisations stand by the Punjab government and appreciate its commitment for upholding the agenda of humanity and that truly in light of every ones religion. We believe that this matter will not be taken as personal rather it should be regarded as a national matter to secure the future of the nation’s daughters and respect humanity in Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2016