Shujaat offers MMA talks on WP Bill
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Supremo Ch Shujaat Hussain has urged the government to stop Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) from tendering en-bloc resignations from the assemblies, they threatened for in protest to women rights bill.
“I am ready to go to MMA leaders to urge them not to resign,” Shujaat said adding that “Women protection bill has nothing un-Islamic, if there is we are ready to remove it.” Speaking at a convention of PML Women Wing convention here, Shujaat said that MMA is politicizing the issue, but still PML is ready to satisfy MMA and Ulema on the issue.
Shujaat informed that he was establishing a cell at the Parliament House, where Ulema and members of MMA will be invited to submit their reservations regarding the bill by December 31, adopted by the national Assembly seeking amendments to Hudood Ordinance 1979.
“I assure them that we will make corrections, if any thing proved contrary to teachings of Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. He however said that the women rights bill was prepared after proper consultation with Ulema, and urged MMA not to politicize the bill.
“We will wait for their suggestions and reservations at the Parliament House till December 31,” he added. The PML leader however said that the MMA would not resign from Assemblies, nor a situation would arise for their resignations. Therefore, he said, there would be no by-elections or early elections and the assemblies would complete their term.
Speaking at the convention, Punjab Chief Minister Ch. Pervaiz Elahi said that PML always had respect for the Ulema and religious scholars and will respect their suggestions in future too. He said that the new Protection of Women Bill incorporates the suggestions of the Ulema. The CM said that whenever a time came, Ulema had always supported women’s rights.
He said PML believe in democracy and the said bill was moved in the house after continued debates at different forums for almost a year. He said PML government’s steps to ensure women’s rights would be a brighter part of Pakistan’s history.
President, Pakistan Muslim League (PML), Ch. Shujaat Hussain has said that PML is ready to convince people about Women’s Protection Bill as it carries nothing against Islam. He was addressing the women convention organized by PML Punjab Women Wing here on Sunday. Chief Minister Punjab, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi and other party leaders also spoke on the occasion.
Ch. Shujaat said that the Muthida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has taken a stance on the bill which is contrary to the opinion of religious scholars. “MMA’s stance is just a political one”, he
added.
PML President said that he will set up a mass contact cell at Parliament House by the end of next month to receive proposals and complaints from public on legislative matters especially those related to women.