‘Compulsory Teaching of Holy Quran’ bill sails through Punjab Assembly

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has passed a bill, making it compulsory the teaching of Holy Quran to Muslim students in educational institutions across the province.

As the Punjab Compulsory Teaching of Holy Quran Bill, 2018, was a private member’s bill, moved by a Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Dr Wasim Akhtar, it was taken into consideration on the government business day with the consent of Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rana Sanaullah.

Citing Article 25A, the bill states that providing free and compulsory education to all children was the state’s responsibility. The bill said that “being an Islamic country, the free and compulsory teaching of Holy Quran will definitely be a source of the establishment of a society based on the teachings of Islam.”

On Friday, the sixth sitting of the 35th session of the current assembly started an hour and 16 minutes behind its scheduled time with Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal in the chair. Only 10 members were present in the House at the outset of the sitting.

The House referred the Punjab University of Technology Rasul Bill 2018 to the relevant standing committee. Provincial Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rana Sanaullah introduced the bill.

The House also passed the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill 2018. The bill was passed after suspending the requirements of Rule 95 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure which necessitates provision of copies of the bill to the lawmakers at least three days in advance of the day when it is to be considered for passage.

Combined opposition staged a protest and walkout during the proceedings seeking apology from Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs for his misogynist remarks against women political workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).