BAHAWALPUR: Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Maulana Tahir Ashrafi has taken a strong exception to the passage of the bill banning the conversion of religion by those under 18, by the Sindh Assembly.

Mr Ashrafi told a press conference on Tuesday the law was enacted to deprive the minorities of their due rights. He added it was also unjust for the minorities and was also like a ‘dacoity’ on the rights of the Muslims.

He appealed to PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardai to get the law repealed or the religious parties would sharply react over it.

Mr Ashrafi praised the services of retired Gen Raheel Sharif, saying during his three years as the army chief, Mr Sharif had strengthened democracy.

He said that by implementing the Zarb-i-Azb operation, the outgoing general had brought down terrorism incidents by 70 per cent. He opposed the accountability of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Panama Leaks case, adding it would only dub him a victim.

He demanded an across-the-board accountability of all those names in the scam.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2016