Pakistan Muslim League CEC decides to consult Coalition Partners
By Maria A Khan 'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Central Executive Committee of Pakistan Muslim League Monday decided to consult its coalition partners including Muttahida Qaumi Movement on all the political issues including the proposed new legislation for the welfare and empowerment of women.

The CEC of Pakistan Muslim League, held here at PML House under the Chairmanship of its President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was especially attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, members of the CEC, senior PML leaders, Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and Chief Minister Sindh Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said, the process of consultation with all the coalition partners would continue to improve the proposed legislation for the betterment of women.

The Prime Minister said consultation is important in the democratic set up. Shaukat Aziz said, “There is democratic process in the country and the government always discuss all the issues and political matters with other coalition partners which will continue in future also.”

Replying to a question about the planned protest by MQM on the issue of next legislation for women, the Prime Minister said, “It will be resolved through negotiation and mutual consultation within the coalition partners” adding that the new legislation could provide maximum benefit to the masses.

The Prime Minister said the CEC also fully endorsed the passage of Women Protection Bill (WPB), recently passed by the National Assembly, Senate and its assent by the President General Pervez Musharraf.

Shaukat Aziz said the proposed legislation submitted by President PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in the National Assembly was also discussed in the CEC and it was informed that it would provide more rights to the women and end discriminatory laws against them.

He said, the new proposed legislation, would ensure more empowerment of the women and give them more rights besides dealing with the family laws, forced marriages, wani, marriage to Quran and barter marriages.

The Prime Minister said the draft bill aims at doing away with centuries old un-Islamic practices, local traditions and customs that treated the women as mere objects.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the new legislation was in conformity with the injunctions of Quran and Sunnah adding that the WPB was also in accordance with Quran and Sunnah.

The Prime Minister said the government took decisions to protect the rights of the women adding that more measures would be taken for the emancipation of women, their protection and removal of injustices against them.

Shaukat Aziz said that WPB was prepared after consultation and negotiation with the parliamentarians and ulema while the new proposed laws would also be framed after consultation with Ulema belonging to different schools of thoughts.

He said the enactment of the WPB has brought a sigh of relief for women, that constitute almost half of country’s population, and feel more secure as their status has been elevated in the society.

The Prime Minister said all these laws are for the benefit of women belonging to all walks of life and the laws are within the injunctions of Quran and Sunnah.

Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said process of consultation within the coalition partners always strengthened the diplomatic process and democracy in the country.

President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain while talking to newsmen after the meeting said that its the responsibility of the government to hold negotiations and discussions with opposition and other political parties.

He said the PML government would continue its discussion with other coalition partners for the benefit of the masses especially for the empowerment of the women.

Secretary General PML Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed talking to newsmen appealed to the MQM to withdraw their call for protest.

He said MQM is a coalition partner of PML, therefore, all the issues should be discussed within the coalition and asked the MQM to withdraw its call for protest.

The CEC of PML congratulated President General Pervez Musharraf, President PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and members of the parliament, through a resolution, on the passage of Women Protection Bill and assured its full support for the next proposed legislation for ensuring more rights to the women.

Through another resolution, the CEC extended its full support to the government to take more initiatives for the welfare and protection of women and eliminate discriminatory laws against them.

The CEC of the PML was also briefed about the recent foreign visits of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and foreign dignitaries to Pakistan.

Briefing by Shujaat

President PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain while briefing the members of the CEC on various issues including the WPB and the proposed legislation for the women rights, said the PML has fulfilled its promise made with the people through these legislations.

He said MMA leadership instead of presenting their point of view inside the parliament has taken the issue to roads only to mislead the masses.

Shujaat said consultation process with ulema will continue and positive suggestions could be included in the next legislation.

Secretary General PML Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed briefed the CEC about the PML delegation visit to Spain.

He also informed the members of the CEC about the activities of the National Sofi Council working under Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. President General Pervez Musharraf is patron-in-chief of this Council.

Senator Mushahid told the CEC that Christmas party will be held at PML House.

Fateha Khawani was also offered for former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Federal Minister Mahmood Ali Khan, mothers of Federal Minister Ghulam Serwar Khan and Amir of Hunza Ghazanfar Ali Khan.●