Islamabad:
Friday, the permanent senatorial committee of law and justice approved various legislative bills linked to DIYAT, women’s rights and public well-being.
The committee, under the direction of the president of Senator Farooq H Naek, met in Parliament in the pursuit of his previous session to examine the reforms pivots in criminal law, family law and constitutional provisions.
The Committee approved crucial changes to the Pakistan Criminal Code (amendment), 2025, filed by senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, increasing Diyat’s minimum value by 30,663 grams to 45,000 grams of money.
The revised figure reflects the evolution of economic realities and aims to normalize the financial component of remuneration in the light of inflation and public expectations.
Samina Samina Mumtaz Zehri assured that the amendment strictly adheres to Islamic injunctions, strengthening the alignment of the bill on the principles of Sharia law. Despite this, Senator Kamran Murtaza recorded his dissent, citing concerns about the practical implications for financially disadvantaged prisoners.
Senator Farooq H Naek, Chairman of the Committee, commenting on the increase in the amount of DIYAT, said that the revision was essential to improve deterrence, confirm the sacred nature of life and ensure fair compensation to the heirs of the deceased.
He congratulated the members of the Committee for their constructive contributions and reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to pursue legal reforms focused on people who reflect evolving societal needs.
The Committee also adopted the report of the subcommittee on the bill on family courts (amendment), 2024, also presented by Samina Samina Mumtaz Zehri.
The legislation obliges that maintenance allowances for a divorced woman and her children must be fixed during the first hearing.
Furthermore, if the defendant does not pay the interview by the 14th of each month, the defense will be struck off and the case has been decreed according to the complaint and the proof in support.
Senator Zehri underlined the disastrous need for this reform, declaring that in Pakistan, divorce procedures often take place for years, affecting the women and children who lack financial independence. “This amendment guarantees rescue in time and confirms the dignity of vulnerable families.”
The President’s Committee and all members vehemently supported women and public interest legislation, stressing that “the laws that protect vulnerable and guarantee that rapid justice is the need for the time”.
Senator Kamran Murtaza, however, submitted a dissident note, expressing constitutional concerns under article 10-A linked to the right to a fair trial.
With regard to the Bill on Constitution (amendment), 2025, by requesting changes to article 27, presented by Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, the mover withdrawn the bill with the consent of the committee, recognizing his redundancy in the light of a recent judgment of the Supreme Court and the third proviso existing in article 27 (1) of the Constitution.
The meeting was followed by Shahadat Awan, Kamran Murtaza and Samina Mumtaz Zehri senators, as well as officials of the ministries concerned.
