ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: President of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain submitted the government’s second bill on women’s rights to the deputy speaker on Saturday, after it was redrafted to accommodate one change.

The “Prevention of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Bill 2006” – aimed at protecting the rights of women – was first submitted to the speaker in November. However, the bill was withdrawn and redrafted subsequently, omitting a clause seeking ban on three divorces given in one go.

Mr Hussain, accompanied by PML secretary general Mushahid Hussain Sayed, handed over the copy of the bill

to Deputy Speaker Sardar Yaqoob Khan in his office. “The new draft was finalised in consultation with all stakeholders,” said Mr Hussain, seeking further suggestions on the bill which will be tabled in the National Assembly on February 6.

He said proposals had been solicited from coalition partners and all opposition parties, including the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal.

The bill, drafted in line with the proposals of a nine-member ulema panel, identifies several problems being faced by women due to lack of legislation. The bill features inclusion of section 310A Act XLV of 1860 which prohibits the handover of women, for settling a dispute between groups, either under marriage or as badal-e-sulh, vani or swara. Any violation will carry a three-year prison term and fine.

Under section 498A, depriving women of the right to inheritance in property will be prohibited, and any violation will carry up to seven-year imprisonment and fine.

Forced marriages have been proposed punishable with a three-year imprisonment and fine under Section 498B.

Section 498C prohibits marriages with the Quran, and those involved in arranging or facilitating such marriages will be punishable with three-year imprisonment.

Section 498D relates to dissolution of marriages in the absence of husband undergoing procedure of lian. It makes the offence punishable under Qazaf where a husband -- having knowledge of a complaint or report of his wife to the court for Qazaf -- fails to undergo the procedure of lian specified in the said section.

Section 498E is meant for making a wife liable to prosecution for zina where she admits zina in proceedings for lian.

A new section, 302D, has been inserted in Act V of 1898, barring provincial governments from interference through suspending, remitting or commuting any sentence passed under section 376 of the PPC in sentences of rape.

The bill was discussed on Friday at a meeting of women parliamentarians and leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League. The meeting was also attended by representatives of allied parties of the PML.

The meeting had formed a 12-member Media Awareness Committee. Led by Senator Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, the committee is tasked with creating awareness in the people about the bill.