PESHAWAR Nov 29, 2006: ActionAid International Pakistan Peshawar office in collaboration with Alliance for Protection of Human Rights (APHR) organized a one day seminar on "HASBA BILL AND ITS IMPLICATIONS" at Peshawar Press club. The seminar was attended by almost 90 people from different walks of life including NGOs, Lawyers, Media representatives and councilors.

The speakers representing different political parties and civil society organizations included:

Mr. Abdul Akbar Khan (MPA PPPP), Mr. Haji Adeel (MPA ANP), Senator Prof. Ibrahim (MMA Senate), Ms. Rukhshanda Naz (Aurat Foundation), Mr. Haris Khaleeq (Chief Executive SPO), Dr. Said Alam Mehsood (PkhtunKhawa Mili Awami Party).

The speakers talked about Hasba Bill and presented their concerns before the participants. They were of the view that a parallel judicial system is useless and just wastage of resources. The opposition parties like PPPP and ANP also condemned the procedural loopholes in the making of this bill as to how it was passed in such hurry in the assembly while MMA was shouting against Women's Protection Bill in Parliament. Although it went through the select committee but in provincial assembly they never bother to send it to select committee or Islamic Ideology Council.

While representing women on the platform Rukhshanda Naz said that the bill is good in the sense that there is no representation of women who make half of the total population. The speakers said that it is a political drama and "Mullah Military" Ittehad". They also condemned the Violation of Human Rights in the bill such as the accused would not have the right to appeal except Chief Minister.