MQM calls for immediate passage of bill for protection of women rights

ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) on Friday called for immediate passage of the bill to protect rights of women and strongly criticized the MMA over its obstructive attitude.

"The bill has been drafted in accordance with holy Quran and Sunnah but a group of so-called ulema is trying to mislead the people in this regard," MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi, in-charge of MQM media cell, told a press conference.

He said MMA parliamentarians were resorting to "unconstitutional, undemocratic ways" in a bid to block the passage of the bill despite the fact that they were a minority in the parliament.

Communications Minister Shamim Siddiqui, Housing Minister Safwanullah and other MQM MNAs were also present on the occasion.

Haider said the Hadood ordinances were a personal creation of General Zia-ul-Haq and the present bill to amend these ordinances is fully in accordance with Quran and Sunnah.

He said the opponents of the bill were in fact against equal rights for women and that was the reason for their hue and cry.

Haider said the MQM would not support any amendment repugnant to women's rights in the bill.