Eight clauses of Punjab Women Act clash with Quran, Sunnah: CII

Writes letter to Punjab govt; asks to do legislation to end obscenity, vulgarity in the country

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), while declaring eight of 31 clauses of the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2015 as un-Islamic, has recommended the Punjab government review the Act in the light of Article 227 of the Constitution.

In a letter addressed to Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, the CCI asked the provincial government to review the Act and send back the reviewed draft to the council.The Article 227 says that all existing laws shall be made in conformity with the injunctions of the Holy Quran and Sunnah and no law shall be enacted repugnant to such injunctions.

“The Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2015 clashes with injunctions of Islam, the Holy Quran and Sunnah, the federal laws of the country and the Constitution of Pakistan,” the CII categorically said.

The decision is based on discussions which took place during a meeting of the council, held last month.Following a strong protest lodged by leaders of religious parties, the Punjab law minister on March 18 sent the text of the Act to the CII to seek its opinion in the light of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

Through the correspondence signed by a senior official of the CII, the Punjab government had been informed the reviewed draft could be sent to the council in the light of Article 229 of the Constitution.

The Article 229 says that an assembly itself or on the advice of the President of Pakistan or provincial governor may send aPakistan or provincial governor may send a law to CII to seek its opinion.

The Council had raised objections to Clause 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15 and 30 of the Act saying the law would play havoc with family system on which a society is based.

The Clause 15 says that the District Protection Officer at any time can enter a place or any house for the purpose of rescuing any aggrieved person, while Clause 30 provides that no suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the government or any officer if any thing has been done in good faith under the Act.

In response, the CII says the Clause 15 is against sanctity of ‘Chaddar and Char Dewari’ and also against what stated in Surah Noor of the Holy Quran and various Ahadees of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) while Clause 30 clashes with principles of equality and justice.

The CII also termed Clauses 3, 5 and others as against what stated in Surah Al Nisa, Surah Al Baqarah and Suran Al Talaq.

The CII has also proposed the Punjab government to draft a law for protection of family system on the basis of mutual respect among relations under Article 35 of the Constitution.  It also asked the provincial government to do such a legislation which could put an end to publication of obscenity and vulgarity in the country.