LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly on Wednesday passed the Punjab Tahaffuz-e-Bunyaad-e-Islam Bill 2020 with a majority under which printing and publication of objectionable material are prohibited.
Among the restrictions outlined in the bill, publisher, editor or translator are barred from printing or publishing any book and material that consists of photographs or pictures of suicide bombers, terrorists (except as required by law enforcement agencies for the purposes of investigation), bodies of victims of terrorist activities and statements. Moreover, the literature of blasphemous nature will not be permitted for publication.
The new law has also made it mandatory that "the blessed name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shall be preceded by the title Khatam-an-Nabiyyin or Khatam-un-Nabiyyin followed by 'sallallahu alaihi wasallam' in Arabic text. Also, 'durood' will be written at the end all other Prophets names.
The law also empowered the DGPR to visit and inspect the premises of the printing presses, offices of the publication houses and book stores. To investigate or assess any act or omission, it has the authority to confiscate any book, whether before or after printing, including any material. It will also have the power to check the record and accounts of the publishers.
While congratulating the House on the passage of the bill, Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said that the House has done a historic job by making this bill into a law. "Under the new law, strict action will be taken against those who insult the honour of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)," he added.
He credited Punjab Minerals Minister Hafiz Ammar Yasir for submitting a resolution on changes in textbooks which led to the passage of this law. "The Punjab Assembly constituted a committee to implement the resolution and a committee, headed by Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, decided to carry out the legislation in the light of this resolution," he said. He commended the MPAs who took part in drafting of the bill, including Opposition Leader Hamza Shahbaz, and added that implementation of this bill will be ensured.
In this connection, the Law Minister said that this law is an important step towards Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision of making Pakistan the state of Madinah. He said that the law will prevent insult against the holy personalities of all religions forever and would help in eradicating sectarianism and religious hatred. "Respect for all religions, including Islam, is a vital part of our Constitution. With the approval of this law, the Constitution of Pakistan has become stronger," he added.
He paid homage to Punjab Chief Minister, the Speaker, members of the Assembly, secretary information and concerned officers on this historic legislation and said that in curriculum or publication of other books, no one would dare to commit blasphemy against the Holy Prophets, the great Companions, the Ahle Bait, Umhat-ul-Momineen and the holy figures of other religions.
The House also passed two bills with a majority including the Ravi Urban Development Authority Bill and the Punjab Cooperatives Societies Amendment Bill. In this connection, the Law Minister said that the urban bill will be a new milestone in the development of Lahore while the cooperatives bill will solve a number of issues related to the land of farmers and ordinary citizens.
On the occasion, the House also took up question hour session on the home department. Later, the Speaker adjourned the House till Thursday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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