NA rejects bill to remove word "Pakistan's Ideology" from constitution
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—The National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously rejected the Amendment Bill 2006 presented by minority member MP Bhandara regarding deletion of the word "Ideology of Pakistan" from the constitution of the country.
The house did not give permission to present the bill in the assembly as both treasury and opposition members opposed the bill and speaker disposed off the bill.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Sher Afghan Niazi and opposition members termed the bill contradictory to Ideology of Pakistan and Constitution of the country and demanded withdrawal of the bill.
Participating in the discussion, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Sher Afghan Niazi said that President, Prime Minister, Chairman Senate, Speakers, Ministers and Members Parliament take oath which consist words of promise to protect Islami Ideology and Ideology of Pakistan.
Minister said that Pakistan is an Islamic country and MP Bhandara by presenting such bill just wants to obliterate that ideology but that would persist as the country was created on that Ideology, he added.
Liaqat Baloch of MMA said that legislation is a sensitive issue and the amendments presented by the member would create confusions. He said that the religion of Pakistan is Islam and the constitution is clear in this regard, adding that complete protection has been given for the rights of minorities.
Sahibzada Fazl-e-Karim said that Ideology of Pakistan is mentioned in Article 62, 63 of the constitution and MP Bhandara has no right to present the bill in the house, he added.
Hafiz Hussain Ahmed said that it was clearly mentioned in the Article 227 of the constitution that all laws would be made in accordance with Islam and Ideology of Pakistan consist of Islamic teachings and every member whether Muslim or non-Muslim is bound to protect Ideology of Pakistan.
Pervaiz Malik of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) said that Ideology of Pakistan is the part of the construction and amendments cannot be made in this regard, he added.
Treasury member, Riaz Pirzada demanded to debate on any amendments raised by member to aware new generation.
Abdul Mujeeb Pirzada said that Ideology of Pakistan is not explained in the constitution.
Treasury member, Ijaz Chaudhary said that every country established on any ideology and Pakistan ideologically is an Islamic state, he added.
Mover of the bill, MP Bhandara said that he is not against Ideology of Pakistan but added that clarification is needed as confusion exist in this context. Ideology of Pakistan is also not mentioned in resolution of Pakistan, he added.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said that Parliament is not autonomous and no law which is not in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah can be approved. He added that we cannot make Parliament as British Parliament as we have to follow Islamic ideology.
Speaker later held voting for presenting the bill but house did not give permission and bill was rejected unanimously.