Press Release
Joint Action Committee NWFP (JAC—NWFP) is a civil society forum for promoting dialogue on issues that have serious implications for the people of Pakistan. Its main purpose is to ensure that the civil society’s views on critical National issues are articulated and a consensus is evolved.
We, as representatives of civil society organizations, express our total outrage at the news that the prime minister and president of the PML-Q have mutually decided that the Hudood ordinances will not be touched, so as to avoid a possible confrontation with the religious element, particularly the MMA.
We are shocked that the prime minister, to ensure continued cooperation by the MMA, has given a categorical assurance to the leader of the Jamaat-i-Islami that the law will neither be repealed nor amended. It exposes the hollow claims of commitment by the present government to human rights, particularly the rights of women.
We would once again like to bring to the attention of all elected
representatives that the repeal of the Hudood ordinances of 1979, considered
most derogatory law in the context of women rights, has been a constant demand
of all human rights organizations, joined and endorsed by various sectors of
civil society, including socio-economic development NGOs, rural and urban CBOs,
lawyers, trade unions, academicians, local bodies, political representatives and
media.
JAC and its members express deep concern over the decision of Prime Minster of Pakistan to uphold the Hudood Ordinances to avoid any confrontation with the Mutahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA). With this arbitrary and self serving decision, Prime Minster has blatantly sacrificed the critical issue of women’s rights for political expediency. By this Prime Minster has not only contradicted his own Government’s much acclaimed position on human rights, particularly the rights of women but are in serious breach of all International and National Commitments, Constitution and Islamic Injunctions.
While strongly condemning such a non transparent and autocratic decision, we demand that the Prime Minster immediately and publicly withdraw this decision and ensure that the NCSW’s recommendations on the Hudood Ordinances are placed before the Parliament for discussion as required by the law.
We once again raise a strong and joint voice against the Hudood Ordinances and demand for an immediate repeal to ensure immediate redressal of the injustices and torture suffered by women in the past and those who are likely to do so in the future due to the abundant exploitation possible under the Zina Ordinance.
Prof. M.Ismail
Member JAC – NWFP
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LETTER TO PRIME MINISTER
Mir Zafrullah Khan Jamali
Prime Minister
Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
March 12, 2004
This is to express our deep shock and concern over your decision to uphold the Hudood Ordinances to avoid any confrontation with the Mutahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA). With this arbitrary and self serving decision, you have blatantly sacrificed the critical issue of women’s rights for political expediency. You have not only contradicted your own Government’s much acclaimed position on human rights, particularly the rights of women but are in serious breach of all International and National Commitments, Constitution and Islamic Injunctions.
While strongly condemning such a non transparent and autocratic decision, we demand that you immediately and publicly withdraw this decision and ensure that the NCSW’s recommendations on the Hudood Ordinances are placed before the Parliament for discussion as required by the law.
We once again raise a strong and joint voice against the Hudood Ordinances and demand for an immediate repeal to ensure immediate redressal of the injustices and torture suffered by women in the past and those who are likely to do so in the future due to the abundant exploitation possible under the Zina Ordinance.
Sincerely yours,
Ms. Bushra Gohar,
Member JAC,
NWFP - Pakistan