MMA leaders welcome SC verdict on Hasba Bill in Pakistan
Pakistan Times Staff Report

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Welcoming the decision of Supreme Court of Pakistan on Hasba Bill, Opposition Leader in National Assembly and MMA general secretary Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the bill would be tabled in the NWFP Assembly after readdressing the concerned clauses and sections.

"It is good to see that the apex court did not rejected the bill in toto, but only disputed its few clauses," he remarked while addressing a news conference at Dera Press Club.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman was of the view that challenging the bill before the assent of the governor was unconstitutional.

Sirajul Haq

Meanwhile, the NWFP Senior Minister Sirajul Haq while reacting over the decision of Supreme Court of Pakistan on Hasba Bill said the supreme judiciary, in fact, guided the MMA-led provincial government in the right direction in providing social justice and relief to masses, adding, "it would push us forward instead of disappointing".

An official handout issued here Friday quoted Siraj as talking to national and international media organisations. Welcoming the decision of the apex court on the reference on Hasba Bill he said the comments on only four clauses of the bill would be given due consideration. He said meeting of the Shariat Council would be summoned again and all concerned aspects of the bill would be discussed to take necessary decisions.

Siraj, who is also the provincial amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, said, "We are Islamic and democratic people. We pursue the policies of consultation and understanding in settling national and public issues for its lasting impacts.

The concerned clauses of the bill will be reviewed and will be tabled in the provincial assembly after necessary amendments".

He said MMA has confidence in legislative assemblies as well as judiciary, as both are constitutional institutions. He vowed the mission of enforcement of Shariah and prosperity of the people wouldn't be halted.

"We have already hinted at human efforts. It meant to provide social justice to the masses and bring a positive change. It was not a final word and hence we will welcome any proposal for its improvement," Siraj remarked.

Of Legal Battle

Meanwhile, the NWFP Law Minister Malik Zafar Azam said in Peshawar that the provincial government will continue its legal battle for Hasba bill.

Addressing a press conference, he hoped that; "the President will accept the provincial legislature’s right to legislate and will uphold the bill".

He said the provincial government has only taken a minor step to fulfill the responsibility of the state through the Hasba legislation. "The people’s government of NWFP should be allowed to fulfill its legal and constitutional responsibility, which is in the broader interest of the federation and the provinces", he said.

He said after the Supreme Court’s detailed opinion on the Bill, decision will be taken for amendment in the legislation or sending the bill back to the governor.●