Friday, July 07, 2006

Pakistan’s New Enlightened & Progressive Judicial System:

Women accused of adultery in Pakistan will now be allowed bail reports the Guardian Unlimited:
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistan's president amended a controversial Islamic law Friday so that women facing charges for adultery and other minor crimes can be released on bail. The much-awaited amendment by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to the Hadood Ordinance will initially affect 1,300 female prisoners, Pakistan's minister for women's affairs, Sumaira Malik, told journalists.
(…)
Under the Hadood Ordinance - passed under the military dictatorship of late Gen. Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq in 1979 - women can be sentenced to death if found guilty of having sex outside of marriage. The ordinance did not allow for women to be released on bail.

I gather this is to be taken as a sign of progress and enlightenment. At this rate, it will only take another 1,500 years of progressive legislation before the Blogging Dippers grant General Pervez Musharraf an honorary membership.

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