ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has proposed amendments to the Dowry and Bridal Gift Act, including an increase in the maximum dowry limit from Rs5,000 to two tolas of gold. The CII also recommends raising the permissible marriage expenses from Rs2,500 to an equivalent amount in gold. Additionally, the council has suggested extending the penalty for violations of the law from six months to up to one year in prison.
During its 239th meeting on Monday, the CII addressed family law reforms, including making the declaration of three divorces in one sitting a punishable act.
The council is also planning a conference with health experts, religious scholars, and other stakeholders to discuss Pakistan’s first human milk bank, which has generated significant debate. This decision follows intense criticism from religious circles that led to the suspension of the milk bank launched in collaboration with UNICEF at the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology (SICHN) in Karachi.
Chaired by Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, the meeting focused on concerns raised by Ulema regarding the Islamic principle of “milk kinship,” which establishes parental bonds through breastfeeding. These concerns highlight potential complications regarding future marriages among “milk siblings” if not properly documented.
The Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA) welcomed the CII’s decision to consult various stakeholders and urged for a swift conference to address issues vital for neonatal health.
The milk bank at SICHN, considered a significant advancement in maternal health, was suspended following a revised fatwa from Darul Uloom Karachi in June, which raised religious concerns and called for an immediate halt to its operations.
SICHN confirmed its compliance with the new religious guidance while seeking further clarity from both Darul Uloom and the CII. The upcoming conference is expected to reconcile differing views and provide a pathway forward, although no timeline has been established.
Human milk banks, which collect, screen, and dispense donated milk primarily for infants whose mothers cannot produce enough, play a crucial role in reducing infant mortality rates globally. However, they face religious scrutiny in Muslim-majority countries due to concerns over milk kinship.
Initially, the milk bank was supported by a fatwa from Darul Uloom Karachi, which allowed the initiative under certain conditions, including that only Muslim infants receive milk from Muslim donors. The subsequent reversal of this fatwa led to the suspension of operations, prompting the Sindh government to seek guidance from the CII on aligning the milk bank’s operations with Islamic principles.
As the CII moves forward, it aims to balance medical needs with religious compliance, acknowledging the importance of breast milk for infant health while respecting Islamic teachings.
In a related matter, the CII praised Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa for the corrected ruling in the Mubarak Sani case and commended the government’s efforts in addressing the Supreme Court’s queries on various Islamic issues.
The meeting also reviewed proposals to amend certain clauses of the Family Laws and Waqf Act 2020 and discussed plans for events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the CII.
Notably, the CII rejected a bill proposed by Advocate Ali Zafar, which aimed to equally divide property accumulated after marriage in the event of divorce.
