Baloch condemns nullification of Hudood laws

MMA central leader and Punjab Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Ameer Liaqat Baloch has said the proposed amendments to Islamic Hudood are sheer negation of aims envisioned in the objective resolution. "The enactment seeks to protect adultery under the guise of women's protection which the people of Pakistan will not allow at any cost," he told party workers.
Talking to them at his Muslim Town residence here on Sunday, he said an Islamic government is bound to plug against the causes of Zina in the society, but the present military regime is out to protect the Zina to please their foreign masters.
He said the ban on publishing news about Zina is negation of press freedom and ought to be condemned vehemently. Baloch was of view that the present amendment bill about Hudood laws has nullified the essence of Zina and Qazf Ordinance and instead given protection to Zina.
Islam, he said, maintains high standard of witnesses for Zina, while the present amendment has ended the obligation of four witnesses. Under the present amendment, Zina is no more a crime if a woman above 16 years commits it with consent. Only rape will be considered liable to punishment and that too under the provisions of Pakistan Penal Code, he added.
Baloch said there are authentic traditions which prove that Holy Prophet (PBUH) subjected the married adulterers to death under Rajm while the present bill enacts 25-year-term of imprisonment for such offenders.
He said the woman subjected to rape have been made vulnerable under the new law because she has to prove in front of magistrate that she was raped and then only an FIR will be registered. "This is protection, which imported legislation seeks to offer to oppressed womenfolk of Pakistan," the JI leader remarked.
Bemoaning over the brazen killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in army operation, Baloch demanded immediate halt to military operation in Waziristan and Balochistan. "Operation sowing seed of hatred among Balochis hence Islamabad must stop it forthwith," he opined.
He announced that the MMA would not allow General Musharraf's dictatorial rule anymore and vowed to continue struggle till the restoration of real democracy in the country.