The Punjab government has issued letters to ulema to seek their opinion regarding Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab government, letters have been issued to 47 prominent ulema and members of Punjab Quran Board, Muttahida Ulema Board and Ittehad Bainul Muslimeen while process of issuance of letters to the members of divisional and district peace committees Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, DG Khan and Bahawalpur has also been completed.
Issued by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan on the directions of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the letter states the Punjab government cannot even think to approve any law against Islam or Islamic teachings.
In the letter, Sanaullah requested the ulema to send their suggestions about the women protection bill. He appealed to the ulema to inform the Punjab government not only about objections but also give alternate recommendations regarding the sections of the bill which according to them were not in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Drawing attention of the ulema, the minister said that a large number of women were facing serious problems such as violence and deprivation of genuine rights and the government was making efforts to discharge its responsibility through the women protection act.