CII declares handcuffing suspects violation of law

Forms committee to evaluate NAB Ordinance in light of Islamic jurisprudence

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared the procedure of handcuffing suspects of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) before conviction as violation of the Pakistani law and Islamic jurisprudence.

“Defaming a suspect and exposing him on media before his conviction is against the basic human values spelled out in Islamic teachings,” said CII Chairman Qibla Ayaz while addressing the media after chairing a daylong meeting of the council on Thursday.

“Violent suspects can be handcuffed,” said the CII chairman.

The CII chairman urged NAB to refrain from such practices.

A committee, headed by Justice (retd) Raza Khan, has also been formed to evaluate the NAB Ordinance in light of Islamic jurisprudence.

“The committee will critically evaluate whether or not the laws of NAB Ordinance are in contravention of Islamic law in order to ensure compliance of the 1973 Constitution which makes it mandatory for every law in the country to be consistent with the teachings of Quran and Sunnah,” said Ayaz.

The CII chairman expressed deep concern over the Aurat March held last month and the inappropriate slogans and banners during the protest.

“The council has resolved that it will extensively study the causes behind dysfunctional families,” said the chairman. “The council believes that in light of Articles 227 to 231 of the Constitution, the CII must present recommendations to help Pakistani Muslims streamline their individual and social lives in accordance with the principles enacted in the Quran and Sunnah.”

He said issues surrounding family life could not be resolved with emotional speeches and slogans, “instead advocating extensive research into the underlying factors is needed”.

He said the council also observed that there was a communication gap between the teachers and students in colleges and universities while co-curricular activities were on the decline.

“Consequently, the young generation is under intense mental pressure,” he said, urging the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Commission to formulate a strategy for the purpose.

“Impulsive and spontaneous reactions to problems will do no good,” he added.

The council held a key session with President Dr Arif Alvi on April 3 at the President House.

It was decided in the session that recommendation would be sought from religious communities and Ulema on environmental safety, forests, plant nurseries, water preservation, compliance of food safety principles and ensuring right to property for women.

The council is expected to hold a convention at the President House with the coordination of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Climate Change.

The CII chairman assured President Alvi during the session that the council would make all possible efforts to spread the Paigham-e-Pakistan message and its narrative. “The message will be incorporated in the syllabus of madrassas and universities alike,” said Ayaz.

To a question, the CII chairman said the council would seek opinions over granting permission for alcohol in the name of minorities from the minority affairs minister.

The council expressed concern over the growing Islamophobia in the west and demanded of Europe, United States and other countries to play their role in ensuring protection of Muslims in their respective states.

The council also condemned the assassination attempt on Maulana Taqi Usmani and murder of Prof Khalid Hameed at Sadiq Egerton College Bahawalpur.