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.



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.







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

COMMENTS (29)

Sharoon Gill | 6 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?
Hassaan | 6 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?
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