The council is a body which represents almost all Muslim schools of thought that have a following in Pakistan.
LAHORE: The Sindh Assembly’s unanimous resolution recommending the provincial government to approach the federal government to do away with the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) is a childish move. The CII is a constitutional institution, which serves as an advisory body for the legislature. One can disagree with certain recommendations of the council, but that does not mean that this very important institution should be abolished.
The council is a body which represents almost all Muslim schools of thought that have a following in Pakistan. Having, at least, two sitting or retired judges of the superior courts and a woman as its member, the CII has a balanced and healthy composition. Similarly, the council’s functions, which are defined under Article 230 of the Constitution, are very significant.
Keeping in view the CII’s composition and its constitutional functions, it is highly desirable that it should pay more attention to those matters which have direct linkages with nation building and bridging the gap between different sects as well as religions. Likewise, the legislative forums should exert their power and authority to channel the constitutional bodies for better working, because any effort to abolish a constitutional institution would create more problems instead of solving some issues.
Atif K Butt
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2014.
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