Ehtram-e-Ramazan: Bill against Ramazan violators in limbo

Amendment bill unlikely to be presented in parliament

ISLAMABAD: A private member bill, Ehtram-e-Ramazan Amendment Bill 2017, which aims to fine people found smoking or eating openly during the holy month, is waiting to be tabled for parliament’s approval. The delay has also led to speculation that the bill will not be presented before parliament during the current government’s tenure.

Earlier in January, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led government had increased penalty for violating eating restrictions during Ramazan by up to a 100%. This move came after the Ministry of Religious Affairs moved a summary to the cabinet division to increase fines against those who are found eating in public during the fasting hours.

Similarly, last year the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs had unanimously approved the Ehtram-e-Ramazan (Amendment) Bill, 2017 under which it was advised to increase fines against hotel owners for violating the Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance, 1981 from Rs500 to Rs25,000.

Talking to The Express Tribune, an official in the federal government said that the bill was presented as private member bill therefore the present government could not do much to push it through parliament although the federal cabinet allowed the ruling party to support the bill once moved for approval.



The official added that since only a few days are left till the PML-N regime completes its tenure therefore it seems the bill will not be presented during the present government’s term.

“If by any chance it indeed fails to be presented before parliament by May 31, then chances are it will go in the doldrums for a long period,” added the official.

Under this bill the government had also decided that cinemas were to remain closed during the fasting hours in addition to the time periods already mentioned in the Ordinance.