MA threats resignations on women rights bill
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

SLAMABAD—The talks between the government and MMA have ended inconclusive on women protection bill. However it has been decided the dialogues will continue and government will present the bill in the national assembly for debate and approval on Wednesday rather than Monday.
Government-MMA talks took place here in Punjab house. PML nominated ulema who attended the meeting included Mufti Munib ur Rehman, Taqqi Usmani, Zahid ul Rushdi, Hanif Jalandhry, Ghulam ur Rehman, Maulana Hassan Jan and Sarfraz Naeemi. MMA was represented by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Maulana Abdul Malik, Abdul Khair Zubair, Jalil Naqvi, Naseeb Ali Shah and Asadullah Bhutto. Ruling PML president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi also participated in the meeting.
MMA deputy secretary general Hafiz Hussain Ahmad told the journalists after the meeting that talks were held between government and PML nominated ulema on Sunday and ulema team met with us on Monday. Detailed discussion was held on all the clauses of bill. Its draft is being worked out. However on some clauses MMA has reservations.
He told it was decided that government would not table bill in the national assembly on Monday. If the same spirit prevails, we will soon find out midway together. Our reservations have been appreciated. We will express our opinion when the final draft will come before us.
He went on to say no decision could be taken contrary to the Holy Quran and Sunnah under article 227 of the constitution. The ball is in government court which will decide about it.
He informed government had sought time for two days. Therefore bill will not be presented on Monday.
Law minister Wasi Zafar told on the occasion that the MMA reservations could not be alleviated, therefore no decision could be reached. MMA has its concerns and the bill will now be moved on Wednesday in the house instead of Monday.
MMA central leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said government has sought two days time with reference to women protection bill following its meeting with the ulema.
He said this while talking to the journalists here Monday outside the parliament.
He told ruling PML held talks with the ulema and the latter proposed that un-Islamic clauses be deleted from Hudood ordinance amendment bill forthwith.
He indicated new draft bill will be prepared within two days. " We will go to select committee too", he added.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman held government had come up with unilateral bill. It needed amendments because Pakistan is an Islamic state and any legislation contrary to Islamic Shariat stands ruled out here.
Responding to a question, he vowed MMA would continue to play its rule for enactment of legislation in consonance with the Holy Quran and Sharia.