ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly today [June 30] set up a Special Committee comprising the whole House to discuss and make recommendations on the issue relating to Khatme Nabuwat and matters connected with it. Prime Minister Bhutto was present in the House when the issue was taken up. While the Assembly went into a fortnight’s recess, the committee will start its deliberations in camera from tomorrow.

The motion over the appointment of the committee moved by Law Minister Abdul Hafeez Pirzada was unanimously carried. The committee with the Speaker as its Chairman is to discuss the question of the status in Islam of persons who do not believe in the finality of the prophethood of Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) and to make recommendations for the determination of the issue. An Opposition resolution moved by Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani (JUP-Karachi) asking the Assembly to declare the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani a non-Muslim minority by amending the Constitution was also referred to the special committee. … Mr Pirzada said that now that the issue had been taken up by the National Assembly … there was no room for any agitation outside.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2024