Headscarf for girl students urged

Published March 11, 2003

PESHAWAR, March 10: The Nifaz-i-Shariat Council has recommended to the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government to declare wearing of scarf compulsory for female students in the province, it is reliably learnt.

Sources in the MMA told Dawn here on Monday that the 21-member body had finalized recommendations for the enforcement of Islamic laws.

The list of recommendations, prepared by the council, had been handed over to the MMA leadership for its final approval.

Once approved by the top MMA leadership, the recommendations would be implemented in the province through an executive order by Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, the sources said.

The Nifaz-i-Shariat Council, which has prepared several proposals in the light of Council of Islamic Ideology’s work, asked the government for some amendments to judicial system, law and order, education, health, communications and women’s rights.

The council has recommended to the MMA government to declare covering of head with scarf compulsory for every female student in the province.

Separate educational institutions for women have also been recommended so that those who object to co-education can continue their education, the sources said.

Uniformity in school uniforms of both private and public sector institutions has also been advised, they said.

The council has also recommended establishment of provincial ombudsman’s institution with its offices in all the districts.

Ban on beggary is another of its suggestions.

To improve the law and order, a privy council at every police station has been suggested. Such a council could consist of area elders and honest people with a mandate to try and reconcile disputes before the registration of an FIR, the sources said.

The council has condemned honour killings and the act of depriving women of inheritance. It has recommended severe punishment for anyone murdering in the name of honour.

It also seeks to frame a law forcing the society to give inheritance rights to women.

The council has also suggested punishment for a person pronouncing three talaq at a time. The government has also been advised to eliminate the custom of ‘Swara’ in society.

Swara is a tradition under which one family gives girls in marriages to the rival family to patch up disputes.

The council has asked the government to have strict control on cinema and cable TV networks to curb the spread of obscenity in society.

It has suggested to the government to order the Pakistan Television, Peshawar centre, to show Islamic programmes.

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