Daughter of Benazir Bhutto condemns jail terms for people eating during Ramadan
Bakhtawar Bhutto warns that people could die as a result of strict new penalties for those who eat publicly during Ramadan
![Bakhtawar Bhutto, daughter of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, says the stricter penalties are ‘not Islam’](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2017/05/14/10/bakhtawarbhutto.jpg)
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
The daughter of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto condemned a "ridiculous law" banning people from eating publicly during Ramadan by declaring: "This is not Islam." Bakhtawar Bhutto, 27, warned that people may die from dehydration as a result of the ban, which has effect during daylight hours throughout the fasting month.
The law has existed in Pakistan since 1981, but a new amendment has introduced stricter penalties that could see people jailed for up to three months for a violation.
Broadcasters or cinemas that breach the rules could be fined more than £3,700 after Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs unanimously approved the bill on Wednesday.Hotel owners will also face increased fines of up to £185 for an offence, according to Pakistani news outlet Dawn.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, Ms Bhutto said: "People are going to die from heat stroke and dehydration with this ridiculous law. Not everyone is able. This is not Islam.
"Not everyone in Pakistan will be fasting – children in school, the elderly, people with medical issues – Should we arrest them for drinking water?"
The campaigner is the eldest daughter of former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in Rawalpindi in Punjab, Pakistan, in December 2007.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments