• Says clause placing responsibility for child on father until adulthood overlaps with existing laws
• Senator Zehri defends the amendment, citing the need for clarity in post-divorce child support cases.
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has sought a review of certain clauses of the Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, particularly the provision stating that the father will remain responsible for the child until the child attains adulthood.
The ministry made the observation during a detailed discussion on the bill, tabled by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
The ministry noted that the proposed clause needed reconsideration as under existing laws, the parent is already responsible in cases where the child is a minor or disabled.
Explaining the rationale for the amendment, Senator Zehri said that in cases where a husband divorces his wife and the child is not financially stable, there must be clear legal guidance on who will take financial responsibility for the child and where it will go.
After extensive deliberations, Senator Zehri asked the ministry to provide a detailed written response outlining the context and objections raised regarding the bill. The committee chairman directed that a separate meeting be convened to further examine the matter in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
It was also noted that the Legal Division had raised certain objections to the bill. Senator Zehri requested that copies of the relevant documents and objections on the basis of which she opposed the bill be shared with her.
The committee also received a detailed briefing on the quota and tender allocation process under the government’s Haj plan for 2026, as well as the procurement of goods and services for Haj operations. The ministry informed the meeting that the Procurement Committee consists of seven members and the process is currently underway. Once completed, all relevant details will be shared with the committee.
The president also asked about the exclusion of a catering company from the competition due to lack of experience.
The ministry clarified that such matters are reviewed by the Procurement Committee, which examines all relevant aspects before sending the process to PEPRA for evaluation and final decision.
It was further reported that companies lacking prior experience are generally awarded smaller tenders initially to help them gain practical experience, as awarding large tenders directly to inexperienced companies can cause operational challenges.
Published in Dawn, October 28, 2025
