Family matters: Petition against Women Protection Act withdrawn

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court on Wednesday refused to hear a petition challenging the Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016 for being un-Islamic.

Justice Shahid Waheed said since the petition was related to Islamic injunctions, the LHC had no power to take up the issue.

Under Article 203(d) of the Constitution, Federal Shariat Court is the appropriate forum for the issue, the judge said. Counsel for the petitioner requested permission to withdraw the petition and was allowed to do so.

Advocate Naheed Baig had filed the petition saying enforcement of the bill would disrupt the institution of family. She had asked the court to declare the law unconstitutional.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2016.