Senate passes WP Bill amidst MMA protest
By Asghar Ali Mubarak

ISLAMABAD—Senate has approved Women Protection Bill (WPB) with majority vote here Thursday amid the reports that MMA opposed the bill and PPP-P, Pukhtoon Khaw Milli Awami Party and ANP supported the government on the bill.
The MMA senators walked out from the house by chanting slogans “ adulterous government” after passage of bill. The government senators raised slogans “ give resignations”. The senate chairman prorogued the session. Earlier the debate on the bill continued for two days. Majority of MMA senators took part in the debate and opposed the bill. Some treasury members also participated in the debate and described the bill in line with Quran and Sunnah.
The law minister Wasi Zafar tabled the bill in the house on Thursday evening for approval. MMA opposed the bill. However PPP-P and ANP supported the bill. MMA senators Sajid Mir, Maulana Sami ul Haq and Kamran Murtaza presented amendments in the bill during the second reading that bill be referred to Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for consultation. The punishments of lashing with strips and stoning to death be kept restored.
The treasury members opposed the amendments which were rejected by the house. Later bill was approved clause wise. PML-N also supported the amendment presented in the house on sending the bill to CII. JUI-S senator Maulana Sami Ul Haq presented the amendment that no legislation be made against the limits set by Islam. Otherwise it will be a rebel. The house rejected this amendment.
Leader of the house Waseem Sajjad took the stance that no legislation was being made contrary to Islam. MMA senator Professor Khurshid Ahmad opposed the bill after the motion related to approval of bill was tabled saying he has right to voice his opinion in third reading. Government is legislating repugnant to Quran and Sunnah and it should not do so. The clause related to Zina bil Jabbar has been done away with. Law Minister Wasi Zafar rejected this stance saying clause No 6 concerning this matter is part of the bill.
Opposition in senate has slammed the Women Protection Bill (WPB) Thursday and demanded of the government to put off further proceedings on the bill and consult the Ulema again on this count while the treasury benches rejected opposition demand saying the bill is in conformity with Quran and Sunnah.
Taking part in the debate on the bill, MMA senator Professor Muhammad Ibrahim alleged that government has violated the agreement with Ulema committee. “ Our recommendations have not been accepted. This law will lead to promote obscenity in the country. “ Zina bil jabar” is Hadd but government is not declaring it Hadd, he charged. If an husband enters into forced copulation with his wife, it also comes under the definition of rape. If this bill is not violation of Quran and Sunnah, I will support the government.