'Not Islam': Benazir Bhutto's daughter slams Pakistan's Ramadan law

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Not Islam: Benazir Bhuttos daughter slams Pakistans Ramadan law

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari

Islamabad - Ms Bakhtawar said that the 'law' was outrageous as it failed to consider that not everyone will be fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

By PTI


Published: Sun 14 May 2017, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 14 May 2017, 2:29 PM

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's daughter Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday lambasted a bill prohibiting eating and drinking in public during the month of Ramadan, terming it a "ridiculous law" which is against Islam.

Ms Bakhtawar, 27, took to twitter to express her outrage at the Ehteram-e-Ramazan (Amendment) Bill, 2017 which also seeks to punish hotel owners violating the law with fines from Rs. 500 to Rs. 25,000.
"People are going to die from heat stroke and dehydration with this ridiculous law. Not everyone is able. This is not Islam," Ms Bakhtawar wrote in a tweet.
Pakistan Senate Standing committee on Religious Affairs unanimously approved the bill on Wednesday, the 'Dawn' reported.
The oldest daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said that the "law" was outrageous as it failed to consider that not everyone will be fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
"Not everyone in Pakistan will be fasting - Children in school, the elderly, people with medical issues - Should we arrest them for drinking water?" she tweeted.

Elaboration on my tweet re arresting people 4 drinking water during ramzan. We are more than capable 2 resist temptation & keep our fasts ????
- Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) May 12, 2017

But not every1 in ???? will be fasting -children in school/elderly/people with medical problems. Should we arrest them 4 drinking water ??
- Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) May 12, 2017

Under the Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance 1981, it is illegal for Muslims to eat or drink in public during daylight hours in Ramadan, though the heatstroke crisis prompted some clerics to advise people they should stop fasting if their health is at risk.
After receiving mixed reviews from users on the social media, Ms Bakhtawar elaborated on her initial tweet, saying "We are more than capable of resisting temptation and keeping our fasts."

Fasting is 1 of the 5 pillars of Islam. It is an imp obligation. But where is law re punish every1 around u with arrests?! Not in Islam. https://t.co/CmOVEbXf31
- Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) May 12, 2017