This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/5337752.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Changes to Pakistan rape reform | Changes to Pakistan rape reform |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pakistan's government says it will present a bill in parliament on Wednesday to reform laws on rape. | Pakistan's government says it will present a bill in parliament on Wednesday to reform laws on rape. |
| The bill would for the first time allow rapists to be tried under civil law, reports say. | The bill would for the first time allow rapists to be tried under civil law, reports say. |
| But following complaints from hardline Islamic parties, rape cases could also still be dealt with under Sharia law, the law minister told reporters. | But following complaints from hardline Islamic parties, rape cases could also still be dealt with under Sharia law, the law minister told reporters. |
| The Sharia laws, known as the Hudood Ordinance, have been criticised by women's groups. | The Sharia laws, known as the Hudood Ordinance, have been criticised by women's groups. |
| Penal code | Penal code |
| They say the 1979 ordinance discriminates against women and fails to differentiate between rape and adultery. | They say the 1979 ordinance discriminates against women and fails to differentiate between rape and adultery. |
| The government has acknowledged that that their amendment was in conflict with the Koran Opposition MP Hafiz Hussain Ahmed Send us your comments | The government has acknowledged that that their amendment was in conflict with the Koran Opposition MP Hafiz Hussain Ahmed Send us your comments |
| Under the current law, rape victims face prosecution for adultery, unless they produce four male witnesses. | Under the current law, rape victims face prosecution for adultery, unless they produce four male witnesses. |
| The government says that this makes it almost impossible to prosecute in rape cases. | The government says that this makes it almost impossible to prosecute in rape cases. |
| Law Minister Mohammad Wasi Zafar said on Monday that under the terms of the bill to be presented before parliament, the offence of rape would remain punishable under Islamic law. | Law Minister Mohammad Wasi Zafar said on Monday that under the terms of the bill to be presented before parliament, the offence of rape would remain punishable under Islamic law. |
| But if a rape victim does not produce four male witnesses, it would be possible for the authorities to prosecute a rape suspect under the secular penal code. | But if a rape victim does not produce four male witnesses, it would be possible for the authorities to prosecute a rape suspect under the secular penal code. |
| "In the case of both adultery and rape, the judge will decide how to try the case," Mr Zafar said. | "In the case of both adultery and rape, the judge will decide how to try the case," Mr Zafar said. |
| President Musharraf says that women need to be better protected | President Musharraf says that women need to be better protected |
| Lawmakers say that the compromise will still mean that rape cases under both systems will remain punishable by death. | Lawmakers say that the compromise will still mean that rape cases under both systems will remain punishable by death. |
| Siraju-ul-Haq, a senior member of the six-party MMA religious alliance, told the BBC last month that the government's efforts to change rape laws showed that they were "following a Western agenda to secularise Pakistan". | Siraju-ul-Haq, a senior member of the six-party MMA religious alliance, told the BBC last month that the government's efforts to change rape laws showed that they were "following a Western agenda to secularise Pakistan". |
| "The government must focus on more important issues like education, poverty alleviation, price rises and the interference of the military in government affairs," he said. | "The government must focus on more important issues like education, poverty alleviation, price rises and the interference of the military in government affairs," he said. |
| Mr ul-Haq said moves to repeal the Sharia laws were against "the spirit of Islam". | |
| But Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz criticised the MMA's response to the bill, calling it "shocking". | But Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz criticised the MMA's response to the bill, calling it "shocking". |
| He said the proposals were aimed at bringing Pakistani law into line with Islamic injunctions promoting women's rights. | He said the proposals were aimed at bringing Pakistani law into line with Islamic injunctions promoting women's rights. |