The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Friday announced it would never accept amendments to the women's protection bill proposed by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA). The announcement came moments before the government categorically stated in the National Assembly that the amended draft by the select committee would be tabled in the parliament on Monday.
Leaving the MMA in hot water over its threat to quit assemblies if it was not taken on board. Speaking at a news conference in parliament cafeteria, MQM lawmaker Haider Abbas Rizvi made it clear they would not accept any amendment to the draft bill incorporated by other than the select committee.
The government has set up a committee of scholars to resolve differences over women's protection bill and is engaged in talks with the MMA leadership.
He endorsed his party chief Altaf Hussain, saying a section of clerics was determined to keep women deprived of their rights.
"The alliance (MMA) is trying to bulldoze the bill... we make it clear that any backdoor amendment would never be acceptable to us at all." Rizvi, flanked by MQM top brass, denounced the MMA for propagating that the women protection bill was in conflict with the Islamic teachings and reiterated that amendments finalised by the select committee were in accordance with the holy Quran and Sunnah.
He said the government has even annexed reservations of some treasury members in the draft bill and all opposition parties were invited to join the select committee to give their proposals.
When asked, Rizvi said they have all options in mind, including resigning from the parliament if the government reached any out-of-parliament settlement with the religio-political alliance.
Responding to a question whether they have conveyed their concerns to President General Musharraf, he said they were conveying their message through media to all 'quarters concerned'.
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