Women MPs warn of resistance if Hijab banned
ISLAMABAD – The female MNAs both from ruling and treasury benches on March 16, warned the government of dire consequences in case a ban is imposed on wearing head scarf for women working in public organizations specially Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC).
The women parliamentarians from ruling and treasury benches signed a motion which MMA’s Samia Raheel Qazi formally tabled before the Speaker National Assembly for a comprehensive debate on the head scarf issue.
“It is shameful that the PIA has issued a circular banning the use of Hijab for ladies working with the corporation and the air Hostesses,” Saima Raheel Qazi said on a point of order.
“All women parliamentarians have given an assurance to me to support on this issue.”
The NA Speaker advised her to submit a motion before his office, on which she got signatures from the women parliamentarians from almost all parties in the assembly except the MQM which remained absent.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly continued debate on the address of President General Pervez Musharraf as ruling and the treasury MNAs called for a cooperation between the government and the opposition to curb terrorism and save the system.
The PML-N and PPP-P members called for early return of former Prime Ministers, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir, to make them part of the consultations on the national and international issues.
The treasury MNA Wasi Zafar, taking part in the debate, asked the opposition members to leave up the politics of criticism for the sake of criticism and forward
positive suggestions on the issues of national interest. “I want to ask whether you have forwarded positive Proposals on the issues on which you have been criticizing the government.”
It is the duty of the government as well as the opposition, he said, to combat terrorism by joining hands as the country is passing through a critical phase.
On his remarks against the opposition’s role and its leadership abroad, the MNAs from the opposition protested by raising slogans agianst him.
Sher Muhammad Baloch of PPP-P though criticize the government’s overall policies but welcomed Wasi Zafar’s speech saying that the system can be saved and terrorism can be curbed only if the treasury and the opposition benches join hands over the issues.
The PML-N’s Krishan Raheel, in his hard-hitting speech, charged that General Pervez Musharraf was toeing the line of foreign lobbies and acceptÂng the dictations especially from the United States of America.
Speaker Chaudhary Amir Hussain warned Krishan Baheel of using hard-hitting works guainst president General Pervez Musharraf. “You must refrain from using such kind of words for the President.”
Gul-e-Farkhanda of the ruling party defended the position of General Pervez Musliarraf and said he upheld all of his promises made with the nation since he took over charge of the country. “The country is heading towards the real democracy.”
Dr Fareeda of MMA also raised the issue of Hijab and said the women parliamentarians will not accept in case the Government put a ban on female workers in the government departments and educational institutions.
PPP-P MNA Ghulam Murtaza Satti said General Musharraf should go back to the army and leave the civilian affairs up to the public representatives.
The ruling side MNA Chaudhry Amanullah said the National Security Council (NSC) is the urgent need of the country for a proper checks and balances system. “The NSC should be formed immediately.”
Sahibzada Fazl Kareem said the Gen. Musharraf is unconstitutional president of Pakistan and “We want to ask him as who is responsible for the four issues he pinpointed in his speech to the joint session of the parliament.”
Source: The Nation
Date:3/17/2004
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