LAHORE: The Punjab local government and community development department has issued updated Form-II of nikahnama and directed the union councils’ (UCs) secretaries to ensure provision of the marriage document to the nikah registrars for solemnising nikah in their respective jurisdictions.

A handout says the Form-II of nikahnama has been appended to the Punjab Muslim Family Rules under Muslim Family Law Ordinance, 1961, containing there the amendment regarding incorporation of oath of Khatam-e-Nabuwat (finality of prophet hood) with the direction to ensure that the only the updated document should be used to solemnise the nikah.

It says the nikah registrars have been directed also to use the updated Form-II to solemnise the nikah, failing which strict disciplinary action shall be taken against the UC secretary concerned.

If a nikah registrar is found not using the updated Form-II, he shall be proceeded against under sub-rule (4) of Rule 7 of Punjab Muslim Family Rules under Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, it warns.

Both the bride and the groom will be required to sign the oath of Khatam-e-Nabuwat at the time of solemnising nikah, it says.

The law states, “If any person to whom a licence has been granted under this rule contravenes any of the conditions of such license, he shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees or with both”.

The move to incorporate the oath of Khatam-e-Nabuwat in the nikahnama was initiated by Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi as speaker of the Punjab Assembly and the amendment was made through legislation.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2022