The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) met on Monday to recommend changes to the Dowry and Bridal Gift Act, advocating for stricter penalties. The CII proposed increasing imprisonment for violations from six months to one year.
In its 239th session, the council also suggested raising the permissible wedding expenses to two tolas of gold and increasing the maximum dowry limit to the same value.
Addressing family law, the CII proposed declaring a divorce three times in one sitting a punishable offense. In addition, the council plans to hold a conference with health professionals and religious scholars to discuss Pakistan’s first human milk bank, which has generated significant debate.
The milk bank, launched earlier this year in Karachi in collaboration with Unicef, was suspended after concerns were raised about “milk kinship,” an Islamic concept that can create issues around incestuous marriages if improperly documented.
The Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA) has expressed support for the CII’s move to consult stakeholders, calling for swift action to ensure newborns’ lives are saved.