Protests, verbal clashes and Gherao marred the National Assembly proceedings on Tuesday when women parliamentarians introduced three different bills to protect a large segment of society from domestic violence.
After heated debate, Speaker Amir Hussain was compelled to defer a bill designed to allow one-dish ie curry, roti, rice and a sweet dish on weddings, replacing the existing law, which permits refreshment.
Introduction of a bill by PPP-P lawmaker Sherry Rehman seeking end of domestic violence against women erupted a pandemonium when Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan Niazi opposed the bill, terming it against Islamic injunctions.
Niazi's remarks that Quran allows thrashing of disobedient wives provoked women parliamentarians and triggered a protest against the minister.
Aitzaz Ahsan of PPPP also jumped into the uproar and proposed a voting to ascertain whether the house was in favour of women protection or bashing, which remained unheeded by the chair.
Meanwhile, some remarks by MMA deputy parliamentary leader, Liaquat Baloch against his women colleagues from PPP-P sparked uproar in the House and consequently he had to apologise for his remarks when women parliamentarians besieged the Speaker's dice.
The House was clearly divided between liberals and conservatives irrespective of their party lines.
Law Minister Wasi Zafar intervened to defuse the mounting controversy and requested Speaker Amir Hussain to refer the said bill to concerned standing committee.
But once again, Niazi interfered and asked the chair to refer the draft bill to Council of Islamic Ideology to seek its advice as no legislation repugnant to Islamic teachings can be made according to Article 227 of the Constitution.
However, the Speaker, through a voice vote, put the motion before the House for grant of leave and the 'controversial' draft bill "The Prevention of Domestic Violence Bill, 2006" stood introduced with the consent of majority of the lawmakers.
Two more draft bills of similar nature were moved by Mehnaz Rafi and Kashmala Tariq i. e, The Domestic Violence Against Women (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2006 and The Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood)(Amendment) Bill, 2006, respectively.
Both of the draft bills were introduced with the support of the majority of the members.
Earlier, a bill moved by MMA's Laeeque Ahmed Khan to further amend the marriage functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Displays and Wasteful Expenses) Ordinance, 2000 created a division in the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Dr Sher Afgan Niazi did not oppose the bill and said one dish should be allowed in the marriage parties.
He proposed that one dish should be defined as curry, rice, roti and one sweet dish, triggering a heated debate in the House as some of the members across the party lines supported the bill while other were of the opinion that the existing law must not be replaced.
Some of the ruling members said it would again lead to wasteful expenses putting extra burden on the poor. Ruling party member, Farooq Amjad Mir said it was designed to boost the business of poultry, hotel and catering industry and it has nothing to do with the welfare of a common man.
They asked the government to properly implement the existing law instead of creating a new problem for the downtrodden segment of the society.
The sharp differences among the members forced Speaker Amir Hussain to defer the draft bill till next private members' day (Tuesday).
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