The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) convened on Monday and proposed amendments to the Dowry and Bridal Gift Act, advocating for a penalty increase for violations from six months to one year in prison.
During its 239th meeting, the CII suggested raising the marriage expenses limit from Rs 2,500 to an amount equivalent to two tolas of gold, as well as increasing the maximum dowry limit from Rs 5,000 to two tolas of gold.
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Additionally, the council proposed that the act of announcing three divorces simultaneously should be deemed punishable.
The meeting also discussed the need to convene a conference with health experts, religious scholars, and other stakeholders regarding Pakistan’s first human milk bank, which has faced backlash leading to its suspension.
This milk bank, launched in collaboration with Unicef at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) in Karachi, was halted after the issuance of a revised fatwa by Darul Uloom Karachi citing religious concerns over “milk kinship,” which creates parental bonds through breastfeeding.
The CII aims to gather diverse opinions on this issue to ensure that the benefits of milk banks are recognized while adhering to Islamic principles.
The milk bank was initially endorsed by a fatwa allowing the initiative to proceed under certain conditions. However, the reversal of this fatwa led to the suspension of operations, prompting the Sindh government to seek guidance from the CII.
In addition to addressing the milk bank issue, the CII expressed appreciation for the Chief Justice and the government regarding a corrected decision in the Mubarak Sani case, discussed blasphemy matters, and approved changes to Family Laws and the Waqf Act 2020.
Members also resolved to hold events nationwide to commemorate the CII’s 50th anniversary, highlighting its contributions and services. Notably, the meeting rejected a bill proposed by advocate Ali Zafar concerning the equal division of property acquired during marriage in the event of divorce.
