November 16, 2008	Sunday	Ziqa'ad 17, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Nov 15: Proposing sweeping changes in the Family Law, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has recommended that a divorce would be deemed to go into effect 90 days after a woman has filed for separation even if the man does not respond by that time.

A meeting, chaired by Chairman Dr Khalid Masood, on Saturday recommended that divorce papers should be registered in the same way as the marriage certificate (Nikahnama), duly filled in under prevailing laws.

The bridegroom, the council recommended, should declare his assets at the time of his first marriage and give full details about his first wife and children in the Nikahnama in case of a second wedlock.

The CII also recommended registering the first declaration of divorce by the husband, following which the second and third declaration would annul the marriage.

It also called for adding another clause in the Nikahnama by which the husband would assign the right of divorce to his wife.

Meanwhile, in a landmark development, President Asif Ali Zardari has set up a committee on the demand of CII which will review and propose methodology for amending the laws repugnant to Islamic teachings.A delegation led by its chairman had met the president recently and complained to him that the successive governments do not give scant attention to the consecutive annual reports nor any step was taken to make amendments to the prevalent laws in accordance with its recommendations.

The president not only sent the minutes of the meeting to the CII but he constituted a committee under head of minister for parliamentary affairs Dr. Babar Awan with secretary CII as its member to hold meeting every month to deliberate and propose suitable amendments as proposed in the Council reports in the law.

The CII sources revealed that only some 5 to 10 percent laws will need amendments as remaining laws were found in accordance with Shariat laws.

The CII which had earlier submitted an unfinished report about the Islamic view of suicide bombings and other issues will prepare another comprehensive report in next three four months in which the Islamic view of suicide bombing, terrorism, Madressah reforms, Jihad and other important matters would be explained.

The CII will also closely liaise with the International Islamic University on the possibility of complete Islamisation.