In a significant development, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) convened on Monday to recommend amendments to the Dowry and Bridal Gift Act. The council proposed increasing the punishment for violations of this act from six months to one year in prison.
During its 239th meeting, the CII also suggested raising the allowable marriage expenses from Rs2,500 to the equivalent of two tolas of gold. Additionally, the maximum dowry limit is proposed to be increased from Rs5,000 to two tolas of gold.
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The council addressed family law issues, particularly the practice of announcing three divorces in one sitting, which it may classify as a punishable offense. To further discuss important health matters, the CII plans to organize a conference with health experts, religious scholars, and other stakeholders regarding Pakistan’s first human milk bank.
The milk bank, launched in March in collaboration with Unicef at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) in Karachi, faced backlash from religious circles, prompting its suspension. Concerns regarding the Islamic notion of “milk kinship” were raised by Ulema, who highlighted potential issues related to future incestuous marriages if proper documentation is not maintained.
The Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA) welcomed the CII’s initiative to consult various stakeholders and urged the council to expedite the planned conference, emphasising the importance of timely action to save neonatal lives.
