Pakistan

Bakhtawar criticises law forbidding public eating during Ramazan, says 'this is not Islam'

Daughter of former prime minister says scores will die of dehydration because of Ehtram-e-Ramazan rule

News Desk May 12, 2017

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM

Perturbed by legislation making eating in public during Ramazan a jailable offence, Bakhtawar Bhutto took to Twitter to condemn the rule.

The daughter of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto said the rule is not consistent with Islam as scores of people will die of dehydration, fearing punishment from the authorities.

“People are going to die from heat stroke and dehydration with this ridiculous law. Not everyone is able. This is not Islam,” she wrote.

https://t.co/eiY7UamIfp people r going 2 die from heat stroke &dehydration with this ridiculous law. Not every1 is able. This is not Islam.
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) May 11, 2017

The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Wednesday unanimously approved the Ehtram-e-Ramazan (Amendment) Bill, 2017 under which fine for the hotel owners – violating the Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance, 1981 – has been increased from Rs500 to Rs25,000.

People who smoke, eat openly during Ramazan face 3-month imprisonment

People who smoke or eat in public during Ramazan can be fined Rs500 and imprisoned for up to three months. TV channels or cinema houses that violate the law will be fined Rs500,000 or more.

Soon after Bakhtawar posted her tweet about the law, it received mixed opinions from the social media users.

While many lauded her for speaking up against the rule, others mocked her and the PPP Sindh government for their ‘indifference’ towards poverty.

The bill is not about fasting. It's forcing others to starve to death
— Muhammad Zulfiqar (@Fire___Dragon) May 11, 2017

Someone who preserve fasting with true sprit, he doesn't have to worry about heat stroke or dehydration.
— SJK (@Shahid24248) May 11, 2017

Why u portray Islam this way. No body had to die if Zardarai had provided them what they needed instead of making swiss full of poors blood
— Syed Faisal Hayat (@advsfh_tweets) May 11, 2017

https://twitter.com/TayyabaSarfraz/status/862812231536443392

COMMENTS (30)

Arshad Khan | 1 year ago | Reply This is a great law. People should also be prevented from using public toilets so they can be encouraged to stay at home.

Sharoon Gill | 7 years ago | Reply Isn't it something between God and the person who fasts? Why do I need to unwillingly fast with others? Will this help a rozadaar earn more religious reward points or something? How can someone's belief be so weak that it gets tempted and insulted by watching others having their basic neccesity, 'food'? Jews and Christians fast as well, but among them it is considered to be an abomination to show off about it.They never force others (whether or not of the same religion) to fast? Did I talk about religious freedom and minority rights?

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Hassaan | 7 years ago | Reply I agree 100% with her, when you ask people to stop eating in public and shut restaurants during Ramzan, either you're forcing them to fast, or be hypocritical. Also there are people who rely on restaurants, and their lives become miserable every Ramzan, Is that what Ramzan is supposed to be about?

Funny Rabbit | 7 years ago | Reply I agree with Bakthawar on this issue.

Faisal | 7 years ago | Reply @Haider: Dear Haider: In UAE, people are NOT allowed to eat or drink in public. They can do it behind closed doors. This is exactly what the Pakistan legislation is doing: those who want to eat and drink can do it privately. Even restaurants like Pizza Hut, KFC, etc. are closed - only take out or delivery is possible and that too only after around 3 or 4pm. No one is stopping anyone from eating and drinking - all the bill is doing is to avoid people eating and drinking pulbicly in the open during fasting hours.

Zubair | 7 years ago | Reply My Foreigner colleagues rarely eat in from of us during ramazan, They show immense respect since years and appreciate us for fasting. Why cant other do it?

Rambo | 7 years ago | Reply @Bunny Rabbit For the first time you have said something sensible. Thank you.

Asma Kasim | 7 years ago | Reply Why are people attacking Bakhtawar does she not have the right to speak. Why are people questioning her residence if in Pakistan or the UAE. Fasting is an individual right if your fasting is affected by others who do not fast or eat displays that you are fasting to impress others After all we are now a society where every one want to be the judge and if you do not fit then you are open to harsh criticism.

Asif | 7 years ago | Reply These Mullahs/Politician are clueless about religion. Ehtraam is in the Heart not on your sleeve.

Bunny Rabbit | 7 years ago | Reply but every one is allowed to e at - but in private . so whats wrong with this law. the majority will be fasting so its not nice to tempt them with smells and sights.

Mamu | 7 years ago | Reply It would have been better if she remained quiet. She is better in doing that.

Raghu | 7 years ago | Reply @Haider: Please be corrected. I have lived in Dubai for the past 30+ years. Eating and drinking is not allowed in public. Non-muslims take take parcels from restaurants and eat in a private place. Not in Public. I wonder if you people fast or not.

Parvez | 7 years ago | Reply Correct me if I am wrong but......after the 18th Amendment Sindh is free to formulate its own rules and if so....it should do so.

Common Man | 7 years ago | Reply Why we are creating so much fuss about her statement? And if it is the Islamic way of banning people from eating/smoking in public during Ramadan then how about controlling the prices of the stuff in Ramadan? Is it not the Islamic way? Is it not Governments Duty? Our prices goes multiples times higher than the normal during Ramadan. Govt. can keep an eye on every individual person but they can't control inflation by simply having an check and balance on merchants.

Khalid rashid | 7 years ago | Reply @Jadugar: Totally agree with you .one should not force his Will on others

Ahmad | 7 years ago | Reply @MJ-Sid: Plus Frankly I observed like a Good Number of Muslims Do not FAST While they are able as well. At least in my Village this is the Case. In KSA I lived in Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and witnessed lots of People "Not Fasting".

Haider | 7 years ago | Reply To correct all the misinformed people claiming that such laws exist in Dubai. May i inform you that even the food courts in mall are kept open during fasting hours and whosoever needs to eat and drink may do so, however only on the premises of the restaurant/food court. Schools have designated areas where non-fasting children can eat/drink. There is no prohibition on sale or consumption of food and drinks. Vending machines are available for water and snacks. bars/clubs serving alcohol are open for business as usual after fasting hours right through Ramzan.

Black sabbath | 7 years ago | Reply @MJ-Sid: Don't give stupid logics... can't they just eat while sitting in their cars with their heads down or do you think they will be walking around if they can to show deliberately what they are eating. Sick people already can't come in public how will they break this law... it's just the respect of Islam which unfortunately people like you are unable to grasp

Sabir | 7 years ago | Reply Totally agree with BaKhthawara. Islam been hijacked by Mullah Sahib.

Mirestan | 7 years ago | Reply I love his Law enforce Islam by force. Religion is a very personal affair. You deprive the citizens who are not Muslim, visitors who visit Pakistan on some business or personal matter. No Hotel will provide food. Please advise what children, old and sick should do.

Khalid rashid | 7 years ago | Reply I support bakhtawar

MJ-Sid | 7 years ago | Reply Travelers, pregnant women, sick, very old and very young are excused from fasting in Islam!! Are the people mentioned above supposed to go in hiding during the month of Ramadhan?

Farooq Ahmed | 7 years ago | Reply There should be no bar on anyone correcting a misinterpretation or misunderstanding. For those who are away from home and do labour to earn a living for self and family, where will they eat? Definitely on road side hotels. And those who have to toil physically during killer peak summers of Pakistan, fasting would be suicidal. Our law enforcement is not that mature, misuse is usually the norm, so why add to the misery of common people by enacting punishing laws when unnecessary.

Nadir Sadiq | 7 years ago | Reply This law is totally un-islamic, The govt is an extension of extremist mullahs, has no moral courage to stand against them. I think PPP and PTI should unite to turn this bill down.

Ann | 7 years ago | Reply For a change she actually spoke good.

Faisal | 7 years ago | Reply Bakhtawar, where you live in Dubai, there is an identical rule. Pls. don't offend your hosts like this. Will you happily live in Iran if Dubai were to ask you to leave?

Jadugar | 7 years ago | Reply I agree with Bakhtawar, Really, religious practises should be personal and not forced on society. Muslims who Fast in the West do not make any such demands on others, To each its own.

karachiite | 7 years ago | Reply if your 'emaan' is so weak that your fast is disturbed by someone else eating or drinking by choice, then really, your fast is of no use. self control over worldly temptations despite being available is the essence of Ramadan.

MAK | 7 years ago | Reply Now Bakhtawar will 'teach' us what is Islam !

Jamal | 7 years ago | Reply Bakhtawar lives in UAE and they have this law too. How about she criticize them too? Also, her criticism shows she knows nothing about Islam.

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