Women's rights activists chant anti-government slogans during a protest outside the Parliament building in Islamabad yesterday. Pakistan's Parliament began debate yesterday on a Government attempt to amend Islamic laws on rape and adultery, changes that an Islamist opposition leader said would encourage free sex. The signs (at left and centre) read 'Hudood Ordinance unaccepted'. The sign at right says 'Cancel Hudood Ordinance'. - Reuters

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP):

Pakistan's parliament yesterday resumed debate on a bill to change controversial Islamic rape laws that human rights groups want to have repealed.

Parliamentary discussion on the Protection of Women Bill, aimed at amending existing legislation called the Hudood Ordinance, broke down in September after the Government failed to get the support of opposition Islamic groups.

The Government hopes passage of the new bill will allay concerns that fundamentalism is on the rise in Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf has repeatedly stated that the country should to be a moderate Muslim nation that respects the rights of women and religious minorities.

Under the Hudood Ordinance, a woman who says she was raped must produce four witnesses to prove her claim in court, making punishment almost impossible because such attacks rarely happen in public.

The Government has proposed that rape cases be tried under secular laws, dropping the requirement for four witnesses. But intense opposition from religious lawmakers has forced authorities to offer concessions. Under a compromise, a judge would have the choice to conduct a rape trial under Islamic law if four witnesses are available, or under secular law if not.

Rape is punishable by death under both Islamic and secular laws in Pakistan.

Opposition Islamic lawmakers said they opposed the proposal after debate on the legislation resumed in the National Assembly, or lower house of Parliament.

"Women will not get any rights because of this bill. It will promote obscenity," said Maulana Fazlur Rahman, a lawmaker from a coalition of hard-line Islamic groups.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz defended the bill.

The law aims to provide "speedy justice and security to women and ensure their due rights," Aziz told a meeting of ruling party lawmakers.

Former military dictator Gen. Zia ul-Haq introduced the Hudood Ordinance in 1979 in an attempt to make Pakistan's secular laws more Islamic.