Shujaat vows to quit if WP bill found against Islam

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain Wednesday said he will resign as member national assembly if any clause in the Women Protection Bill was found against the injunctions of Quran and Sunnah.
Speaking on the floor of the house, he said there was no clause in the bill which contravenes the teachings of Islam. “But still even after the passage of the bill, if our party finds out that there is something in it which is against Islam we will bring amendments and I will resign from my seat,” he added.
He later handed over his resignation to the speaker who said that under the rules, he cannot accept it. The bill, he said, has been propagated in the media and the press to such an extent that even small children now ask what is a rape.
“We never used to say this word (zina) before the womenfolk in our families. Now even our children ask what is a rape. Time has come that this bill should be passed and the house gets on with other business,” he added. He said he stands by his words said earlier that Allah’s curse be upon me if there is anything in the bill contrary to the Islamic teachings. He said the government had earlier decided to constitute two bills - one by the house select committee and the other by Ulema’s committee formed by the government.
“However, the government has only presented the bill approved by the select committee.” He said the bill has been signed by nine ulema including Maulana Hassan Jan who is the teacher of leader of the opposition Maulana Fazal ur Rehman.
Chaudhry Shujaat said the passage of the bill is the first step towards the protection of women rights. The other serious issues concerning the women will also be addressed by bringing another bill. These issues include, Vanni, women’s marriage with Quran, forced marriages and denying them their rights in inheritance.
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal will hold countrywide protest in case of passing of Women Protection Bill. Government itself is confused over the bill as it has attached women rights with rape, whereas the sitting government alleges MMA of politicizing the issue.
This was said by opposition members including MMA and PML-N while delivering speeches in the Lower House during the debate over the Women Protection Bill on Wednesday .
Opposition leader Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, said, the bill has become very controversial therefore there was no need to pass it in the present situation. In a situation when the leader of ruling party has cited if the Bill will become controversial then he will resign from his office. Then why the government is pressing too hard for passing this bill, he asked. I will only say that
I will say the government should once again consult the Ulema Committee and take its time for passing the bill. If the decision is out of the parliament then I will say President Musharraf should not make it a matter of his ego, the law can be passed at some later stage but the whole situation should be clear to the nation.—Agencies