Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said the Women Protection Bill passed by the National Assembly (NA) was in accordance with the injunctions of Islam as no one can dare to legislate against the religion in the country.
The country's Constitution guarantees the supremacy of Holy Quran and Sunnah and the entire legislation is made in accordance with it, the Prime Minister said talking to reporters in the National Assembly after the passage of WPB.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani and Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Wasi Zafar were also present in his chamber.
Shaukat Aziz said the government will continue its efforts for the empowerment of women through a continuous legislative business by adopting the consultation process with different segments of the society.
Shaukat Aziz said that WPB was adopted through the consultative process, as Ulema, Mashaikh and other notables representing various segments of the society were engaged in the process of finalisation of the Bill. He said the Bill was also discussed with the members of the parliament to include their proposals.
He said, "We went through a long and lengthy process of consultation on the Bill before its passage in the assembly."
The PM said the Bill was first discussed by the Select Committee which was then sent to the National Assembly.
He said some amendments were incorporated in the Bill, in consultation with the members and then it was passed by the House.
Shaukat Aziz said there is no justification for the MMA to resign from the House as the bill recommended by the Select Committee has not been passed. "It was Select Committee Plus bill, as a number of new clauses were added to the bill made earlier by the Select Committee."
He said at the time of the passage of bill, which was the historic moment in the parliamentary history of the country, 157 member from PML and allied parties, 31 members from PPP (Parliamentarian) and 3 members of PML (N) were present in the House.
He said the three members of PML (N) had abstained while the members of MMA had left the House.Therefore, the bill was adopted with unanimity by the members present in the House.
He said the bill would help alleviate the hardships of women folk in the country.
Referring to the six points presented by PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Shaukat Aziz said, a bill would be soon tabled in the House thus protecting women against the unethical customs like Wani, deprivation from the right of inheritance and important matters.
He said a consultative process would be adopted again for the passage of the bill. He said for the first time this government has introduced the spirit of consultation that will go a long way in re-strengthening the democratic process in the country.
Shaukat said prior to passage of the bill a meeting was held to decide a course of action regarding the passage of the Women Protection Bill which was attended by the PML and allied parties, MMA, PPP, PML (N).
He said this decision was taken in the better interest of women rights as they are the dignified and honourable member of every family and they should be given their due rights.
The Prime Minister said the government will continue the consultative process on case to case basis as it is a part of the system to ensure "check and balance."
He said the National Assembly deserves felicitations on the completion of its four years adding that a record legislative business was undertaken during this period.
Shaukat said this reflects that the government is making all out efforts for the betterment of the masses through record legislation.
He said soon after the passage of the bill, he talked on phone with President Pervez Musharraf who congratulated the parliamentarians.
He said President Musharraf has been making all out efforts for the empowerment of women. He said these efforts are to provide better opportunities in the light of teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah to women folk.
Answering a question, the Prime Minister said, PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has very rightly assured the House that whatever the legislation is being done, it was in accordance with the teachings of Holy Quran and Sunnah. "I have endorsed it in my speech on the floor of the House," he said.
In reply to another question the Prime Minister said, "We must move forward with a positive and optimistic approach." When his attention was diverted towards the Hasba Bill adopted recently by the NWFP Provincial Assembly, the Prime Minister said the bill is under thorough consideration and if there is something contrary to law or Constitution every one has the right to challenge it.
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