- Fawad Ch says there are serious questions on performance of CII
ISLAMABAD, January 9: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Thursday termed some sections of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, as going against the Shariah.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, chairman of the CII, Dr. Qibla Ayaz, said the council held a two-day-long meeting during which it concluded that sections 14-D, 15-A and 26 of the NAO were un-Islamic.
Section 14 of the law pertains to presumption against accused accepting illegal gratification, Section 15 pertains to disqualification to contest elections (or to hold public office) and Section 26 pertains to the tender of pardon. He said that the above mentioned clauses of NAB Ordinance are against Article 227-A of the Constitution, adding that this Article says no legislation could be carried out in Pakistan against Quran and Sunnah. He said that some clauses of NAB Ordinance are clearly un-Islamic and contrary to the Islam.
Qibla Ayaz said that according to the council, handcuffing suspects and airing footage of the arrest on media is un-Islamic. Additionally, the council said that it was not the suspects’ responsibility to prove their guilt and keeping a suspect in custody for a long periods without a case also went against Islamic principles.
As per the CII, plea bargains and turning of suspects into approvers is also against the Shariah.
Qibla Ayaz said with the National Accountability (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, the accountability law will become further discriminatory. “NAB law is not compatible with Islamic laws on crime and punishment,” Dr. Ayaz said, adding that the council will also review amendments to the law.
He called forced conversion of religion is violation of the Islamic teachings and also breach of the constitution of the country. He said the process of change in sexual behaviour has become a fashion in the world. He said that CII has rectified the National Assembly resolution passed against the blasphemy content on social media, adding that the ban should be imposed on uploading blasphemy content on social media.
The CII has recommended establishment of special courts for hearing of the cases of sexual violence, Dr. Ayaz said. He stressed the need of psychological education to children from the primary schools.
Later, responding to the CII chief’s statement, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary said that the council has never provided its guidance in any matter.
In a tweet, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has said that there are serious questions on the performance of the Council of Islamic Ideology.
He said that religious circles have not so far received guidance from the thought of the Council of Islamic Ideology. “The justification to spend millions of rupees on such institutions is beyond my understanding,” he said.
He called for reorganization of the Council of Islamic Ideology. “Highly scholarly figures in harmony with modern demands should take control of the institution,” he said.-Sabah
