'Unique' Eid gift for male Pakistani parliamentarians

Islamabad: The members of Pakistani Senate and National Assembly yesterday received a unique gift of 100 condoms each on the eve of Eid Al Fitr from the Federal Ministry of Population in a bid to encourage population control at the top level.

"Yes, the condom packs have been distributed among the male parliamentarians. Each member of the both Houses, has been gifted a pack of condoms containing 100 pieces," an official of the ministry told the English language newspaper Daily Times.

The distribution of condoms, in this widely conservative country, has enraged some opposition parliamentarians, who have taken it as an insult, and they have decided to take up the matter with National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain.

"I will take up the issue with the speaker and move a privilege motion if need be. We are all educated people and know the benefits of contraceptives, but this move is meant to humiliate the MPs," said an opposition lawmaker, who requested not to be named.

He said that perhaps such "stupid acts" were the government's way of showing the world its "moderate face".

"Enlightened moderation does not mean vulgarity, there were several other methods to promote the cause of population control, it's sort of cheap publicity," he added.

Another parliamentarian from a religious-political party also, on condition of anonymity, condemned the gesture and said he will take up the matter as and when the House convened because it was an insult to the honourable members.

"This is not a civilised way to highlight importance of population control, it's a cruel joke which should not go unpunished," he said.