Zardari assures JI to withdraw 'forced conversion' of minorities
- By Web Desk -
- Dec 22, 2016
KARACHI: Former president and Co-Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday assured Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Siraj ul Haq that the bill regarding conversion of minorities’ religion will be withdrawn in letter and spirit, ARY News reported.
According to a JI press release, Zardari phoned Siraj ul Haq and assured that the bill passed by the Sindh Assembly regarding age limitation of conversion of minorities will be retreated.
According to the bill, no person shall be deemed to have changed their religion until they reach the age of 18 years. The law will not recognise the decision of a minor to convert until they reach the age of maturity.
Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) bill was tabled by Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) lawmaker Nand Kumar a year ago and passed in the last month by the Sindh Assembly.
The bill has been opposed by the religious circles. The JI Ameer is also one of the front line proponents of those demanding abolition of the bill.
Read More: Sindh assembly passes bill against forced conversions
Senator Siraj ul Haq lauded and welcomed the former president’s decision. He said they respected every person of Pakistani communities regardless of what religion they belong to.
“Every citizen of Pakistan enjoys equal rights and believers of different religions are independently practicing their beliefs,” he said while thanking the PPP leader.