ISLAMABAD: Sindh Governor Saeeduzzaman Siddiqi on Friday returned the controversial bill regarding forced conversions that had been unanimously adopted by the Sindh Assembly.
Sources privy to the development informed media that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the MQM had both advised the governor of Sindh against the approval of the bill. The chief minister had told the governor that the government wanted to change the language of the bill and did not want it to be approved in its current form. Moreover, the MQM told the governor that the passage of the bill was being carried out in a hurry without providing the members ample time to go over it.
Siddiqi cited all these reasons when returning the bill and directed that the bill should be passed after consultation with all stakeholders. He added that the bill should be enacted in such a way that it should cater to the demands of different religions instead of alienating them from each other.
In November 2016, the Sindh Assembly passed the controversial bill, which received massive criticism as it contained provisions that were perceived by some as un-Islamic and unconstitutional.
The bill generated controversy as it contained a provision which said that no person under 18 could convert to Islam, even out of his own free will and choice. Many claimed that this goes against the teachings of Islam and the provisions of the constitution. In face of protests lodged by religious parties, the PPP announced that it would review the bill and amend it in a way that does not go against Islamic teachings.
