MPA withdraws hijab resolution over ‘error’

PTI legislator was against imposing the hijab, but document said otherwise

LAHORE: A clerical error in a resolution related to the wearing of the hijab at educational institutes created a stir in the Punjab Assembly session on Wednesday.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislator Nabila Hakim Ali Khan first submitted a resolution which seemed to endorse the government’s proposal to make the hijab mandatory at educational institutions. However, she later withdrew the same, claiming there was a “clerical error”.

When she read the resolution, the MPA realised that the composer failed to include the word “not” in it. She clarified that her stance was that “hijab should not be made mandatory for women”.

Nabila continued that women should not be tempted by the extra marks being offered for wearing the headscarf.



During proceedings, Jamat-e-Islami legislator Dr Waseem Akhtar supported the government’s proposal to impose the hijab at colleges. He strongly condemning the role of liberal forces, which he said mounted pressure and the government and forced the resolution to be withdrawn.

The JI leader said the government wanted to take a good step, but its attempt was foiled. He said if the government wanted to provide an incentive, it should be allowed to do so.

To this, Deputy Speaker Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani responded by saying that marks must be given on merit. He was against the idea of arousing greed by offering five extra marks.

When Dr Waseem tried to drive his point home further, the speaker again repeated that marks must be given on merit.

The session was to start at 10am, but was delayed till 11:18am. Provincial ministers Sher Ali Khan and Chaudhary Shafique replied to the questions related to special education and energy.

Subsequently, more than 18 legislators gave pre-budget speeches, raising different issues such as education, health, clean water, pollution, agriculture, sewerage and road infrastructure.

Both the treasury and opposition benches complained about the dissatisfactory steps taken to improve conditions at educational institutions. They also highlighted issues surrounding unhealthy drinking water and the situation at hospitals.



PML-N’s Rukhsana Kokab said people of her constituency were drinking unhygienic water in the androon area, thus causing the spread of several diseases. Bao Akhtar Ali, also from the ruling party, said around 50 schools of his constituency were never upgraded. He added some were as much as nine feet below the ground level and no steps were taken to remedy this situation.

Leader of the Opposition Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed said there should be a balanced budget and it should tilt towards deserving areas rather than those enjoying ample facilities. He said the government should learn a lesson from the past and pointed to some projects, which according to him, were nothing more than a waste of money.

He said the Sasti Roti Scheme, Youth Festival and Ashiana Scheme had billions pumped into them, but ended being exercises in futility.

He proposed that standing committees should be made active for the preparation of the budget. The opposition leader stressed that the house gathers to tackle the current problems faced by people rather than planning the future. He said clean drinking water, health and education should be made top priorities of the budget. The House was adjourned will 10am on Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2017.