Debate over DNA evidence in rape case

KARACHI: Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) of Pakistan yesterday rejected the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test as primary evidence in rape cases, though it could be accepted as supportive or secondary evidence.

The council is a constituted body in Pakistan that advises the legislature whether or not a certain law is in accordance with the Islamic Sharia or not.

The meeting of the council was held in Islamabad and Maulana Mohammad Khan Sheerani, the chief of the council presided over the meeting to discuss issues.

The participants observed that in Islam there was a well-described procedure for implicating someone in the rape case and as to how to prosecute and convict. The council observed that the issue of rape case was highly sensitive and the DNA tests were not useful to establish the crime. Collecting evidence for such crime required a high level of cautiousness.

However, the council consented to accept the DNA test as secondary evidence in the rape case.

The council also discussed amendments in the existing blasphemy laws but shelved the any change as they considered the law appropriate.

However, the council said that it would consider the amendments in the future.

Mualana Tahirul Ashrafi, another member of the council said that there was a consensus of all on the blasphemy laws but its exploitation by the Muslims or non-Muslims citizens must be stopped.

Blasphemy has remained an extremely sensitive issue in this country.

The laws are often misused in the country to settle personal enmities that stirred thus many believed that it required great care to handle to the blasphemy issues.

The council also disapproved human cloning. However, it would ponder and review for the allowance of cloning the human organs to be transplanted if required.

The Pakistani parliament can not approve any law repugnant to Islamic injunctions and the CII is the constitutional body to be consulted before amendment in any religious clause.