The lawmakers from both opposition and treasury on Friday seemed wholly unconvinced about Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry's criticism on Council of Islamic Ideology (CII).

Talking to reporters, the MNAs and senators belonging to both treasury and opposition benches criticized the minister's opinion that CII is of no use and is in dire need of new leadership.

Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that that there could be no better place than CII to give its opinion on a controversial issue.

He said that it is only CII which can determine whether or not a piece of legislation, a law or any other tricky issue is contrary to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

"If it's contrary to the Holy Quran and Sunnah, the CII is the constitutional body to guide the concerned department and the government of the time," he added.

He said that the performance of the institution should be improved but demanding to shut it down is unjustified.

Senator Mushahidullah Khan of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said that the Constitution is quite clear that no law can be enacted against the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

He said that there is no other platform to guide the government about a controversial issue involving the religion except the CII, which should be strengthened to avoid any controversies.

Senator Rehman Malik of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said that anomalies, if there is any, in the CII need be cleared instead of creating more controversies.