Pakistan: Bill which would have allowed non-Muslims to become PM, President rejected by National Assembly

Pakistan's National Assembly on Tuesday rejected a bill which would have allowed a non-Muslim to become President or Prime Minister of the country where only a Muslim can be elevated to the top posts.

The bill was tabled in the lower house of the Pakistan Parliament by lawmaker Naveed Aamir Jeeva, a Christian belonging to the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), The News International reported.

Jeeva Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 proposed to amend Article 41 and Article 91 of the Constitution to allow non-Muslims to become Prime Minister and President of Pakistan.

The National Assembly, however, rejected with majority voice the bill which proposed to allow a non-Muslim to become the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan opposed the proposed legislation - Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 - saying that Pakistan is an Islamic Republic where only a Muslim can serve at the top. 

He said that the minorities in Pakistan are enjoying complete freedom, security and their rights are being protected. 

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) member Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali thanked the minister and appreciated the stance taken by him. 

No law against Islamic values and teachings can be passed, introduced or even debated in the parliament, Chitrali said.