Repeal of Hudood laws sought

Published November 10, 2006

ISLAMABAD, Nov 9: Chairman All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) Shahbaz Bhatti has urged the members of Parliament to abolish the Hudood ordinance, which is against the universal declaration of human rights.

In his open letter written to the heads of political parties and members of National Assembly said that hudood ordinances were the Islamic laws which should not be applied to non-Muslims. As according to the constitution, article 227 section 3, and Shariat act section 2, states that Shariat laws would not be applicable to the minorities.

Mr Bhatti said that provisions of these laws were unjust, discriminatory, and oppressive against the non-Muslims and women of the country. These laws particularly the offence of Zina (enforcement of Hudood) ordinance 1979 are serious invasions of the personal laws of non-Muslims of Pakistan.

He said that the non-Muslim women were the poorest victims of the application of Islamic Shariah and these ordinances. They are abducted, raped and forcefully converted.

The perpetrators of the heinous crimes in order to wriggle out of the provision of offence of Zina in a mechanical manner manage the arrangement of conversion of minority women.—Our Reporter

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...