After rejection of several clauses by the religious parties, the Sindh government on Saturday decided to review the bill pertaining to forced religious conversions. According to sources, decision was taken by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari after religious parties had threatened protest movement and siege of building of the Sindh Assembly. The provincial government informed JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman about the decision and requested him to take all concerned stakeholders into confidence.
In a policy statement, PPP Sindh president Nisar Khuhro, recalled that according to Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 256 of the Holy Quran, the religion could not be changed forcibly, therefore, no Muslim could think contrary to the teachings nor could legislate such a law.
The PPP leader said the marriage of a person below 18 years was banned as its law existed on the statutory book. He added that there was no restriction of the age on change of religion. He further said that involuntary conversion of religion and under-18 marriages of girls are against both Sharia and the Constitution. Nisar Khuhro noted that bill aimed at protection of minorities has been forwarded to the Sindh governor. Sindh Assembly will review the bill for making apt amendments after any proceeding by the governor.
On November 24, the Sindh Assembly had unanimously adopted Sindh Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) Bill 2015 that was moved by PML-F's Nand Kumar. Controversial bill engrossed wrath of religious parties which termed newly-adopted bill against basic tenets of Islam.
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