Pak Bill: Let husbands beat wives

Islamabad, May 26

Pakistani husbands can ‘lightly’ beat their wives if they disobey, according to a controversial recommendation made by a state-affiliated Islamic body in its new women protection Bill.

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) enjoys constitutional status in Pakistan and gives non-binding proposals to Parliament to make laws according to Islam.

The controversial alternative Bill was prepared after the CII rejected Punjab’s Protection of Women against Violence Act (PPWA) 2015, as un-Islamic.  The CII will now forward its proposed Bill to the Punjab Assembly. The Bill said a husband should be allowed to ‘lightly’ beat his wife if she defies his commands, refuses to dress up as per his wishes and turns down demand of physical contact. — PTI