Senate Body Approves Bill to Raise Minimum Blood Money Value

The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice has approved amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, raising the minimum diyat (blood money) amount from 30,663 grams of silver to 45,000 grams.

The committee, chaired by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, met at Parliament House on Friday and unanimously endorsed the increase, noting that it better reflects inflation and evolving social expectations. Members said the change would help standardize compensation, strengthen deterrence, and ensure fairness for victims’ families.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri assured the panel that the revised diyat amount was fully consistent with Islamic principles. However, Senator Kamran Murtaza voiced reservations, arguing the higher amount could create difficulties for financially weaker convicts.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Naek said the revision underscored the sanctity of life and the state’s commitment to providing justice through equitable compensation.

The committee also passed another key reform by adopting a sub-committee report on the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024, tabled by Senator Zehri. The proposed law makes it mandatory for family courts to fix maintenance for divorced women and their children at the very first hearing.

Under the amendment, if maintenance is not paid by the 14th of each month, the defendant’s right to present a defence will be struck off and the case decided based on the plaint and evidence. Senator Zehri said the reform was critical to protect women and children, who often suffer prolonged financial hardship due to lengthy divorce proceedings.

Senator Naek and other members strongly backed the pro-women amendment, terming it a step toward timely justice and protection of vulnerable groups. Senator Murtaza, however, submitted a dissenting note, raising constitutional concerns under Article 10-A on the right to a fair trial.

Meanwhile, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeking changes to Article 27 and moved by Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, was withdrawn after the committee observed that the matter was already addressed by a recent Supreme Court ruling and the current constitutional provision.

The meeting was attended by Senators Shahadat Awan, Kamran Murtaza, and Samina Mumtaz Zehri, as well as senior officials from the concerned ministries and departments.