Hijab issue comes under discussion in PA

JI, PML-N support Hijab, deputy speaker rejects their stance

LAHORE

Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani Wednesday rejected the stance of JI and a PML-N MPA for supporting Hijab for students to get five extra marks.

“Have a fear of God, should the students wear Hijab just because it will bring them five extra marks, what is the use of wearing a Hijab if it is worn to get marks only,” remarked Sardar Sher Ali while responding to the point of order by JI Parliamentary leader Dr Waseem Akhter and PML-N MPA Dr Farzana Nazeer. They spoke in support of Hijab for the students. The issue came under discussion during the PA session when PPP MPA Faiza Malik on a point of order criticised the statement of Higher Education Minister Raza Ali Gilani in support of Hijab for the students. She said an irresponsible statement had put the entire government on back foot and asked why the minister had to touch this issue unnecessarily.

Deputy Speaker Sardar Sher Ali told the House that the Punjab government had already clarified its position over the issue and no such plan was in the offing.  Dr Waseem Akhter on a point of order stated if an attempt had been made to promote something good, there was no need to oppose it. Dr Farzana Nazeer supported Raza Ali Gilani and said he had highlighted a very important and Islamic issue which must not be ignored. She justified Hijab while giving a reference from Holy Quran. 

Responding to the JI and PML-N MPAs, the deputy speaker said every Muslim believes in following the teachings and commands of Allah and the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

However, he said this sounds strange that students should wear Hijab to get five extra marks and asked the member: “Will you wear Hijab for marks only.” He said the Punjab government had already presented its stance over the issue and there was nothing to say further after this clarification. Tariq Mehmood Bajwa, a PML-N MPA, who was elected as an independent candidate in by-polls while speaking over an adjournment motion highlighted the issue related with the delayed payment to the sugarcane growers in district Nankana.

He said already, the growers were paid by the mill whereas what hurt them further is the cut in actual amount per mound which the Patwari mafia mints hundreds of thousands of rupees daily from the farmers. He demanded debate over the issue. This is noteworthy that Tariq Bajwa had also taken up the similar issue last year. Aslam Iqbal, PTI MPA,  raised complaint regarding lack of facilities in the hospitals of Lahore. Deputy Speaker, who himself belongs to Rajanpur, remarked that the situation in hospitals of Lahore was better and MPs from Lahore shouldn’t raise this complaint.