Islamabad (Web Desk): The Ehtram-e-Ramazan (Amendment) Bill – 2017 has been unanimously approved on Wednesday by the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, under which fine for the hotel owners – violating the Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance, 1981 – has been increased from Rs500 to Rs25,000.
According to details, people who will smoke or eat openly during Ramazan will be fined Rs500 along with 3-month imprisonment. TV channels or cinema houses that violate the law will be fined Rs500,000 or more.
Senator Tanveer Khan introduced the amendment bill in the Senate sitting held on January 16 and was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs for further consideration.
Tanveer appealed the committee to take strict action against people who violate the law during Ramazan. Earlier the committee members suggested closing down cinema houses for three hours early in the morning and later for three hours after Iftar during Ramazan.
However, Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Pir Amin Ul Hasnat Shah suggested that all the cinema houses across the country should remain closed throughout the holy month.
Discussing the issues pertaining to Ruet-e-Hilal committee, the committee’s chairman Senator Hafiz Hamdullah urged the ministry to resolve the issue of moon sighting across the country. Other issues with all the relevant provincial departments were discussed, the ministry’s officials told the senator.