Shujaat seeks Ulema’s suggestions on WP Bill
MQM blames PML of by-passing

ISLAMABAD—Ulema have declared six clauses of Women Protection Bill (WPB) repugnant to Quran and Sunnah and have demanded of Chaudhry Shujaat to ensure implementation of the agreement reached with Ulema Committee and the PML president has sought time from Ulema till December 9 for further consultation in connection with the recommendations made by them. However, a major coalition ally MQM has voiced a strong resenement over Chaudhry Shujaat a meeting with Ulema and blamed PML of bypassing.
A meeting between Ulema from Majlis-e-Tahaffaz-e-Huqooq Hudood-ul-Allah (MTHU) and PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was held at the latter residence Sunday. MTHU was represented by Mufti Munib ur Rehman, Maulana Taqi Usmani, Maulana Hanif Jalandhri, Maulana Ikhlaq and Abdul Razzaq Sikandar. The other participants were PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Waseem Sajjad, information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani and minister for railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.
The Ulema committee briefed the PML leadership on certain clauses of WPB which are contrary to Quran and Sunnah. Later talking to the journalists Maulana Taqi Usmani said “we have made it clear on Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain that Hudood laws have been amended. The agreement reached between Ulema committee and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has not been adhered to. We were assured that no legislation would be carried out against Quran and Sunnah. We have informed them in clear terms what clauses of WPB are in conflict with Quran and Sunnah. Chaudhry Shujaat has accepted our pleas to some extent”, he told.
It was decided that final decision in this respect would be taken in the meeting taking place on December, 9, he said adding we have identified the disputed clauses. Chaudhry Shujaat will consult his associates to find out way as to how these recommendations should be incorporated in the bill, he po nted out. “ We have raised objections on six provisions which should replaced. The punishment for zina (rape) has been excluded from Hudood and incorporated in Tazeer. This has eased the way for adulterers which is not in consonance with Shariah.
Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said the bill has been politicized. It should be resolved in religious way. “ We have sought time from Ulema to consider their recommendations. These proposals can be made part of the new bill we have filed in assembly. The first bill not be amended. It is our endeavour that new bill is settled till December, 31. Terming the Women Rights Bill as unconstitutional and un-Islamic, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Sunday demanded of PML (Q) president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to resign as per his promise, besides asking the federal government to direct NWFP Governor to sign Hasba bill immediately.
Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press Club after the meeting of provincial executive council of JUI(F), spokesman of the party Abdul Jalil Jan said that as the ulema had declared the Women Rights Bill as unIslamic, therefore, PML(Q) chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain should resign from parliament, as promised by him at the floor of the national assembly.