ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the Hindu and Christian communities at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Tuesday suggested replacing the phrase ‘Islamic ideology’ with the ‘ideology of Pakistan’ in the statements of oath to different offices.

However, the committee decided to hold the matter until an opinion from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) which is headless at the moment.

Most of the members believed that taking such a decision would trigger a new controversy as there would be a very strong reaction from lobbies who give priority to the Islamic ideology over the ideology of Pakistan.

Senate body says decision to replace phrase ‘Islamic ideology’ with ‘ideology of Pakistan’ will be taken only after consulting CII

The committee was discussing ‘The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2017 (Amendment of Article 255)’ tabled by PTI Senator Azam Khan Swati. The bill suggests that while taking an oath non-Muslims should not be forced to say that they would protect the Islamic ideology.

According to the templates, oath takers have to say “I will strive to preserve the Islamic ideology which is the basis for the creation of Pakistan.”

Ravi Dawani, the secretary general of All Pakistan Hindu Panchayat, said he and his community had concerns over the oath wordings.

“I have submitted the wording of around 40 countries to the office of the committee which show that in 90pc of the oaths people have to say they will be loyal to the country. In Indonesia, there are different oaths for Muslims, Hindus, Christian and Budhist communities,” he said.

Mr Dawani suggested that in the oath of Pakistan the word should be ‘loyalty’ to the country.

Bishop of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik said there was a need to amend the wording of the oath. He claimed that he had seen oaths of many Muslim countries and nowhere did people took oath of the Islamic ideology.

“Oath in Turkey is totally different as it has nothing to do with the religion. We should not forget that the country was created to protect Muslims, not Islam. Moreover, when we say that we will uphold the Constitution it is clear that Pakistan is an Islamic Republic. So there is no need to include Islamic ideology in the oath,” he said.

“I suggest that the whole sentence should be omitted as there is no definition of the ideology of Pakistan in the Constitution,” he said.

Meherdad, a representative of the Baha’i community, said according to their faith all religions were made by God so the oath does not make a difference.

CII Secretary Dr Ikramul Haq said as the seat of the chairman was vacant the meeting of the council cannot be called to give an opinion on the matter.

“However, under the law there will be the rule of Allah in Pakistan,” he said.

Senior legislative adviser, Ministry of Law and Justice, Malik Hakam Khan said the committee should realise what would be the consequences if the templates of oaths were amended after half a century.

“I believe that the whole society will be affected as a large number of people will oppose the change,” he said.

Senator Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah of the PML-F said though the committee was authorised to pass the bill it would be better to get the opinion of the CII before taking any decision.

Senator Farooq Naek of the PPP also said it would be better to wait for the opinion of the CII.

The chairman of the committee, Javed Abbasi, then decided to defer the discussion till the CII gives its opinion on the bill.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2017