Pak Islamisation Bill passed

ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (PTI, AP) — The controversial Islamisation Bill, providing for making the Sharia as country’s supreme law, was passed by Pakistan’s National Assembly today amidst strong objections from the Opposition parties, who claimed that it still contained provisions which could be misused in the name of Islam.

The 15th constitutional amendment, brought in by the government for making the Quran and Sunnah (sayings of the Prophet) as the supreme law of the country, was passed by the 217-member lower House of Parliament with 151 votes, more than the two-thirds majority as required by the Constitution.

Only 16 members voted against the Bill, introduced in the House after dropping some controversial clauses, including those relating to the provision for issuing directives for the implementation of Islamic laws, while others abstained.

The Bill will now go to the upper House, Senate, It is likely to face rough weather there as the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) enjoys only a simple majority in the house.

The changes in the Bill, which had been introduced in the House following the address of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on August 28 to enforce Islamic laws within the country, was finalised at the parliamentary party meeting of the PML held yesterday.

The Opposition, led by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, warned that in the name of Islam the government can under this amendment overturn laws passed by Pakistan’s four provincial governments.

Mr Naveed Qamar, a spokesman for Ms Bhutto’s party in Parliament, warned that the amendment supersedes the Constitution of Pakistan.

Mr Asfandyar Wali Khan, a member of the Awami National Party and a strong opponent of the amendment said it effectively meant "the abrogation" of the Constitution.

In a surprising move lawmakers withdrew a clause in the amendment that promised the country’s minorities that their "personal law, religious freedom, traditions or customs . . . And status as citizens" would be protected.

There was no debate on the decision to delete this clause. Members of Pakistan’s minority religious groups have strongly condemned the amendment warning that it could be used to discriminate against non-Muslims, something the government already promised would not happen.

But minority religious groups and human rights groups already have fought strenuously to have other Islamic laws already on the statute, like a blasphemy law, repealed.

Opponents of the amendment have warned that it will give strength to militant members of radical Islamic groups in Pakistan, who will try to force their interpretation of Islam on lawmakers.

Ms Bhutto’s party as well as other Opposition parties have warned that the amendment can pave the way for a strict Islamic regime, not unlike neighbouring Afghanistan where the Taliban militia rule with an iron hand.

However, the Information Minister, Mr Mushahid Hussein, earlier said his government was a "liberal Muslim" government that was opposed to fundamentalism.

Outside Parliament today representatives of women’s groups condemned the Bill and waved placards saying: "defeat this bill ... protect women. We have rights."

Inside the grand marble legislature, Mr Qamar said already the government ministers have questioned the Islamic credentials of those who oppose the Bill.

Mr Khan said "we don’t need any certificate to be a Muslim this Bill is going to put you into total confusion."