PML celebrates passage of WPB, vows to strengthen women rights
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Muslim League on Friday celebrated the passage of Women Protection Bill, renewing their pledge to take more effective measures to ensure the rights of women and restored their respect and honour.
President PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain presided over the function held at PML House which was attended by ministers, Senators, MNAs, women leaders and a large number of women from different walks of life.
The PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain speaking on the occasion said the Women Protection Bill is in accordance with the injunctions of Quran and Sunnah.
He said there was nothing contrary to Quran and Sunnah in the bill passed by National Assembly on November 15 as no one could dare to make any change in the Hadood laws.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said there were some changes in the law to ensure the rights of the women and eliminate the discrimination and injustice with them.
He said it is part of a series of legislation which is underway and the process of emancipation, welfare and protection of women will continue. The PML President said he had already announced in the National Assembly that he would resign if any clause in the Women Protection Bill was found against the injunctions of Quran and Sunnah.
Chaudhry Shujaat said there was no clause in the bill which contravenes the teachings of Islam. He however said, “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.” The PML President said consultations were going on for the last one year on this bill. He said some of the PML leaders wanted to pass it in haste while others wanted to have comprehensive consultations on the bill.
He said the PML discussed the bill with the ulema and religious scholars from different walks of life who declared that there is nothing against Quran and Sunnah in the bill. The bill, he said, has been propagated in the media and the press and people gave their opinion and remarks on it.
Chaudhry Shujaat said the passage of the bill isthe first step towards the protection of women rights and the government would take more steps in thisregard.
He said another bill has been presented to the Speaker of the National Assembly to take up other serious issues concerning the women. These issues, he said, include, Vanni, women’s marriage with Quran, forced marriages and denying them their rights ininheritance.
He termed the passage of bill on women protection as historic and said it would guard them against any excesses and injustices and ensure their rights enshrined in the Holy Quran and Sunnah. Chaudhry Shujaat said PML would celebrate November 15 as “Women Day” every year.
Secretary General PML Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed speaking on the occasion said it was an historic work done by the PML government as it would ensure the rights of the women belonging to all the parties.
He said it was possible through “home work and team work” of the party and its coalition partners. He said the PML under the leadership of ChaudhryShujaat Hussain took a number of steps for the welfare of women.
Mushahid said in August 2004, when Chaudhry Shujaat was Prime Minister, the government passed Honour Killing bill while discussion started in May 2005 and the bill was passed on November 15 this year to eliminate discriminatory laws and protect women rights. He said PML always took strong and bold steps and position on all the national and international issues including Iraq, Palestine. He said PML also worked hard for promoting interfaith harmony. Mushahid said there is nothing against Islam in the Women Protection Bill, therefore the politics ofhypocracy should end and the opposition should not use it for the political benefit.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Secretary Information PML Senator Tariq Azeem said it was due to PML leadership that the government took bold decision to pass the bill to protect the rights of the women.