LAHORE, August 29 2006: The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has appealed to the nation to support its countrywide strike on September 1 to protest against the proposed amendments in the Hudood Ordinance and military operation in Balochistan. MMA leader Maulana Abdul Malik told a press conference on Monday that the alliance would force the government to withdraw its proposed amendments and would give the rulers a tough time if they did not. He also appealed to shopkeepers; transporters and traders to support the MMA’s strike call.

He said that by amending the Hudood Ordinance, the government wanted to promote vulgarity because then police could not arrest an unmarried couple even when found indulging in a sexual act. He also said the amendments were also reducing the Hudood punishments. He said the MMA was ready to amend the existing Hudood Ordinance, but not ready to compromise on Islamic punishments. He said that according to Islamic law only two types of criminals could be jailed and the rest were subjected to lashes.

He said the government wanted to give the right of evidence in a rape case to a non-Muslim by saying that any adult could submit or record his statement, but Islam only believed in the statements of pious Muslims.
Source: Daily Times
Date:8/29/2006