Ch Shujaat submits Prevention of Anti-Women practices bill in NA
31 December, 2006
ISLAMABAD: Ruling Party Pakistan Muslim League has submitted a bill in National Assembly to prohibit certain practices leading to exploitation and discrimination against women. President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujat Hussain submitted the bill to Deputy Speaker National Assembly Sardar Yaqub on Saturday here in National Assembly. Secretary General PML Mushahid Hussain, Senator Dilawar Abbas, Naeem Chattha, Rahela Yahya, Gul Farkhenda, Nilofar Bakhtiyar and other Members National Assembly were present on the occasion. The bill called prevention of Anti Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Bill 2006 would be tabled in session of the National Assembly scheduled to commence from February 06. On the occasion, talking to media men President PML Chaudhry Shujjat Hussain said that the decision to introduce another bill to end such practices, which are against women was following passing of Women Protection Bill. The President PML further said that all suggestion and recommendation of coalition and others parties in the bill would be welcomed as we presented the bill with the favour of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (Sherpao). The copy of the bill has been given to MQM and PPP-S, he added. Talking to journalists on the occasion, Secretary General Pakistan Muslim League Mushahid Hussain said that a media committee to aware the citizen about the bill has been constituted under the chairmanship of Aneesa Zaib Tahirkheli, he remarked. The bill to end practices such as preventing or obstructing women to get share in inheritance and woman, forced marriage, Nikah with the Holy Qur'aan, custom of 'Vani' or giving a woman in marriage to settle a feud would play a pivotal role to get women due status in the society, he added. Commenting on the bill, the Secretary General PML said that three-year imprisonment would be given to whoever gives a female in marriage compels her to enter into marriage, as Badal-I-Sulj, Wani or Sawara or any other custom practice. The offense would be bailable and Police could not arrest the people involved in said crime without warrant, he asserted adding that the hearing of case would be held in the Court of Session Magistrate to be listened by First Class Magistrate, he added. At least seven-year imprisonment would be awarded besides imposing fine or both whoever by deceitfully deprives any women from inheriting and moveable or immoveable property, he maintained. Mr. Mushahid went on to say that punishment of three years has been reserved in the bill whatsoever compels a woman to enter into marriage and arranges or facilitates the marriage with the Holy Quran. Whereas, action would be taken according to Zina Ordinance against wife admits Zina in the absence of his husband, he said. He declared that Provincial Government should not suspend, remit or commute any sentence passed under section 401,402 and 402 B. It was mentioned in the objects and reasons of the bill that there are several practices and customs in vague in the country, which are not only against human dignity but also are violative of human rights. Such customary norms are likewise contrary to Islamic junctions therefore; the bill has been presented in the National Assembly.
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