‘Shariat Court verdict seeking reversal of provisions discriminatory against Pak women’

LAHORE - The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed alarm at the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) decision seeking reversal of several provisions of the Women’s Protection Act, 2006.

The commission said it was “alarmed that the verdict seeks reversion to provisions of the 1979 Hudood Ordinance which were highly discriminatory to the rights of women”.

“The HRCP considers the decision a setback to efforts to ensure equal protection for women,” the Daily Times a statement, as saying.

The commission’s serious concern emanates not least from the fact that the FSC decision seeks to undermine the legislative authority of parliament, encroaches upon its power to translate people’s demands into laws, and subverts the functioning and authority of the mainstream judiciary, the statement added.

“In a way, the verdict provides a decisive argument for the abolition of Federal Shariat Court. It is distressing that December 22 will be remembered mainly for the disappointing FSC decision and not for appointment of the country’s first woman ombudsperson to hear complaints of sexual harassment in the workplace,” the statement said.

The HRCP urged the government and the civil society to challenge the FSC decision, and effectively argue the matter with a view to ensure that women’s rights are not compromised and that rights of all citizens are equally protected. (ANI)