The Council of Islamic Ideology seems out of touch with the realities of the day, and there needs be a concerted effort on the part of the Council to make sure that its leaders does not give embarrassing statements, and that proper research is done to understands political issues and as well as journalistic revelations. Recent statements from the CII suggest that they think that they can weigh in on any and all matters related to the state, from drafting new laws for the legislators to peruse to commenting on political issue that have nothing to do with religion of Islamic ideology.

Maulana Sherani on Sunday, stated that the Panama Leaks were somehow a Western conspiracy aimed at destabilising Pakistani democracy and to “implement their nefarious designs in the country.” It is unfortunate that his ignorance over the global state of affairs has to be made obvious like this, was any sign of ignorance compromises the high regard in with the advisory council is held. No one has apprised the council of the fact that the British Prime Minister is facing a possible impeachment, among numerous other Western leaders that are on the receiving end of flack from the public. This “Western plot” has affected the world at large, including the “West” itself. The CII should not be promoting conspiracy theories, or be voicing any opinions that are not grounded in facts.

This is not the first such statement that has opened the CII to criticism. The dismissal of DNA evidence’s validity in rape cases, allowing child marriages and rejecting the women rights bills in both KPK and Punjab reflect how far detached the CII has become from the needs of the times. It is also important to remember the consequences of establishing a body that has political representatives attempting to dictate the ideology of the state religion. In the status quo, there will always be an inherent bias to turn the public in whatever direction it suits the religious parties the most. The near-unanimous rejection of the Women’s Protection Bill was a means of showing the government that the CII could still flex its muscles. The D-Chowk debacle also catapulted the CII back into the limelight; for the protesters demanded that CII should be the one to decide whether the laws made were valid. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, but religious injunctions always have to be in line with the current global scenario. Perhaps the CII should be revised, or at least be better advised of current affairs.