ISLAMABAD: Following the passage of a controversial amendment to the Elections Act 2017 which ended up affecting a Khatm-i-Naboowat (finality of prophethood) declaration which is required to be signed by public office holders, former prime minister and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif on Saturday ordered a probe against those responsible for making the amendment to the declaration in nomination papers.
The PML-N chief has formed a three-member probe committee tasked with identifying those responsible for the amendment.
Headed by Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, the inquiry committee includes Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and federal minister Mushahidullah Khan.
The committee will submit its report to Nawaz after 24 hours.
According to spokesman Asif Kirmani, the former PM has expressed concerns at the incident. Kirmani added that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the amendment.
‘Clerical error’
In the aftermath of the controversy surrounding the amendment, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday said that a “clerical error” had been made and invited parliamentary leaders in his chamber to discuss the matter.
The controversy erupted when the parliamentarians had pointed out that the wordings of Form-A, which is required to be signed by public office holders and election candidates, had been changed so that it converted it into a declaration form instead of an affidavit, in which candidates are put under oath.
In the new Form-A, the words “I solemnly swear” were replaced with “I believe” in a clause about a candidate’s belief in the finality of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad. The clause was also made non-applicable to non-Muslim candidates.
On Friday, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that even thinking of amending the finality of Prophethood clause is a sin.
“Even thinking of amending this law is kufr,” said Iqbal while addressing a press conference.
“We are all Muslims. The finality of Prophethood is our part of our faith,” said the interior minister.
He also denied allegations that the clause was removed from the newly passed act.
On October 5, the National Assembly unanimously passed amendments to the Election Bill 2017, restoring Khatm-i-Naboowat declaration to its original form.
