ISLAMABAD, July 8: President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Friday said the Hasba Bill passed by NWFP Assembly should be referred to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) which is a proper constitutional forum for consultation as the bill contains some provisions contrary to the recommendations of the CII. Talking to newsmen, he said the Hasba Bill drafted in October 2003 had been sent to the CCI by the NWFP government. The CII gave its opinion but the same was ignored in the present bill, he said.

Chaudhry Shujaat said majority political parties should not pass such legislation which damaged the spirit of democracy and democratic institutions.

He said he was of the view that provincial ombudsman in NWFP should be appointed in such a manner ombudsmen are appointed in other provinces.

—APP