ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), the apex constitutional body that advises the government on Islamic aspects of laws, has said that it is mandatory to seek the council’s opinion on proposed military courts. It has also said that the power of the president or provincial governors to commute the sentence of a convict or to pardon him is un-Islamic.
“According to the Islamic law, no person or state has the authority to pardon a convict, particularly in cases of Qisas and Hudood,” CII Chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani told journalists after a marathon meeting of the council on Tuesday.
The session was convened to discuss the status of CII and its constitutional powers. It coincided with the approval of the 21 Constitutional Amendment Bill 2015 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015 by both houses of parliament.
Maulana Sherani said it was mandatory for the government to seek CII’s opinion before or after introducing a fresh law. He added that the government should review the powers of the president and provincial governors to pardon a convict because such powers were un-Islamic.
The CII feels that the oath of finality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) should be made mandatory for the ministers, governors, assembly speakers, heads of the armed forces and other offices, he said.
The CII members recommended that the government or any individual be bound to prove that a bill tabled in parliament is in accordance with teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). They further recommended that the CII has the right to suggest amendments in any law, if it deems necessary. The CII also has the right to give its opinion even if any amendment is not referred to the council by any assembly.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2014.
COMMENTS (9)
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Where was this CII freeloading collection of bigots when Parliamentarians who did not qualify under Articles 63/64 were taking oath? It means this setup headed by Mr Sherani stands disqualified for violating their oaths to carry out their job under the Constitution. Hun Dasso.
its about time the mullahs should sit quiet n let the army do its job
"The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII)"
Time to abolish CII. Lets form "The Council for Human Ideology" instead.
Army you should take a notice about these kind of mullah..root of terrorism. enough is enough..
Military courts are for you hence no need to take your advise.
Its funny how these people wish to feel important, I'd say get back on your seat mulana sahib, people have had enough of your extremist kind since Peshawar.
No thank you! we have enough of the menace.You are wrongly mixing fascism with religion.
What monuments to stupidity have we created?
Maulana it's because of CII we need to have special courts.Before the induction of CII pakistan was a peaceful place but afterwards a deadly place on earth.Religion means peace but your ideology is bloodshed which can not be tolerated any more.