ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H Naek on Monday said the government was determined to make legislation for the welfare and protection of women and children according to the teaching and spirit of Islam.
Talking to newsmen after presiding a high-level meeting to evaluate the proposals given by the Council for Islamic Ideology (CII), pertaining to women�s rights and family laws here at the Ministry of Law and Justice, the minister said that the government will not introduce any law against the teachings of Islam and will pay special attention to protect the rights of women.
Naek said that the recommendations given by the council could not be implemented as parliament has to deliberate upon these proposals. �It is parliament, which can pass any law after following the process of legislation. The proposals given by the CII will also pass through the same procedure,� the minister added.
Earlier during the meeting, the minister directed the council to give its recommendations regarding family laws following Article 227 of the Constitution, which says: �All existing laws shall be brought in conformity with the injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, in this Part referred to as the injunctions of Islam, and no law shall be enacted which is repugnant to such injunctions.�
He said these amendments are aimed at providing protection to divorced women and their children from exploitation. The proposed amendments to the family laws would address the issues, including time period for enforcement of divorce, wife�s right of divorce and guardianship of the children, while shielding rights of the women.
While talking about the present family laws, the minister said it has many lacunas due to which women are being exploited. The provision to submit a copy of divorce notice (after 90 days of this notice divorce is enforced) to the union council is not being practised.
Dr Khalid Masood, Chairman, Counsil for Islamic Ideology, told the meeting that recommendations would be submitted according to the teaching of Quran and Sunnah during the next meeting, and deliberations would be conducted on rights of women as well as to ensure protection of children�s future after divorce.
He further informed the meeting that he has specifically requested the Ministry of Law and Justice to convene a meeting for bringing reforms in laws pertaining to children as, he said, there was no law in the country regarding child protections.
Source: The News
Date:11/25/2008
