Thread: MPAs slam jirga’s decision to legitimise honour killing

Saturday, May 06, 2006 E-Mail this article to a friend Printer Friendly Version

MPAs slam jirga’s decision to legitimise honour killing

PESHAWAR: Female members of the NWFP Assembly (MPAs) demanded on Friday that the provincial government take action against nazims, councillors and elders in Upper Dir who declared in a jirga that honour killing was not only permissible but anyone filing a case with the police or moving the courts would also be executed.

In her adjournment motion, Farah Aqil Shah of the Awami National Party (ANP) raised the issue and expressed concern over the decision made by Upper Dir elders, nazims and councillors in a jirga. “It is an important issue. Their decision is against the law. Honour killing is a crime and therefore, the government must take action against those involved in declaring it permissible,” she said. Farah said it was a state-within-a-state like situation and people were making their own laws.

Naeema Kishwar of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) expressed concern that nazims and councillors were involved in the jirga. “Honour killing is not only against Pakistan’s laws but also against the Hudood laws. Both laws do not allow honour killing,” said the MMA member. Naeema said the Dir jirga’s decision was un-Islamic and the government must take action against the jirga members involved. Nasreen Khattak of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party Sherpao (PPPS), protested against honour killing. “It is murder and Islam does not permit it,” said Nasreen. She said honour killing was a disgrace. She said the jirga had made a wrong decision and they must be punished according to the law.

Bashir Ahmed Bilour, parliamentary leader of the ANP, demanded registration of a first information report (FIR) against the participants of the jirga. Minister Kashif Azam said that it was a newspaper report and the government had asked the district coordination officer (DCO) to submit a report on the matter. “They (nazims and councillors) do not have powers to make such decisions,” he said. He said the government’s stand on honour killing was that it was unlawful and un-Islamic. zakir hassnain

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-5-2006_pg7_21

It is a refreshing change that women in Pakistan are asserting themselves.