KARACHI: Clergy leaders representing various Christian denominations, including Pentecostal, Associate Reformed Presbyterian, Presbyterian, Baptist/Brethren, Methodist and Evangelical churches across Sindh, shared their position, concerns and recommendations on the proposed Sindh Christian Family Laws Bill-2026.

Speaking at a press conference at the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church of Pakistan on Saturday, they welcomed the initiative to strengthen the protection, dignity and legal rights of Christian families in Sindh through the proposed law and commended the legislative initiative undertaken in Sindh after 154 years.

They also showed their support for the meaningful reforms that establish 18 years as the minimum legal age for marriage for both men and women, ensure that marriage is contracted between two Christian parties, a man and a woman, and provide effective legal safeguards for the sacred marital covenant, registration of marriage, free and informed consent, maintenance, child protection and timely access to justice.

But to achieve these objectives, they stressed that the legislative language must be clear, the procedures fair and effective implementation be ensured.

Clergy leaders call for independent legal review of the document to assess constitutional safeguards, court jurisdiction and pending proceedings

While talking about their position on the matter, Pastor Asher Mansha said that they believe that legal reforms must reflect the Bible and the diversity of Christian ecclesiastical traditions.

“Legislation should provide equal civil protection to members of all Christian denominations, including Pentecostal churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Pakistan, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian tradition, Presbyterian churches, Baptist churches, Brethren churches, Methodist churches, Evangelical churches and other Christian communities. The religious systems, doctrines, or ecclesiastical regulations of any one denomination must not be imposed upon other Christian denominations,” he said.

Pastor Francis Hayat said that civil rights and legal remedies must be clearly distinguished from ecclesiastical religious rites and worship, matters of faith, the religious validity and legitimacy of sacraments and the internal governance of churches.

“The rules, traditions and practices of all denominations should be duly recognised and accommodated, subject to the Constitution and applicable laws in force. While ensuring enforceable legal protections for spouses and children, it is equally essential to respect the religious autonomy of the churches and Christian communities concerned,” he said.

Pastor Asher Mansha, Pastor Francis Hayat and other members of the clergy present on the occasion, including Reverend Samuel George, Bishop Javed Karnel, Bishop Gulfam Javed, Pastor Hezekiel Yaqoob, Rev Dr Muazzam John, Pastor Naveed Asif, Pastor Sarfraz William, Pastor Shahbaz Paul, Pastor Atiq Qaiser Bhatti, Pastor Daud Masih, Pastor Robin M. Khokhar, Pastor Jabbar Anjum and Dr Sultan Sardar Bhatti, shared some recommendations for the Bill.

Reaffirming their support for comprehensive legal reforms through the proposed Sindh Christian Family Laws Bill 2026, they said that they will continue to examine the proposed Bill and will submit their recommendations to the Standing Committee on Minorities Affairs as it is their aim to contribute constructively to the development of legislation that safeguards families.

They said that every provision of the proposed Bill should be examined in detail in the light of the Christian Marriage Act, 1872, the Divorce Act, 1869, and all other applicable laws.

They also said that it is important to undertake substantive and effective consultation with church leadership, legal experts, theologians, women and representatives of Christian denominations to ensure that the proposed reforms adequately address the concerns and circumstances of the communities they affect.

An independent legal review should also be conducted to assess constitutional safeguards, the jurisdiction of courts, repealing provisions, pending proceedings and the legal enforcing of the proposed provisions.

Demanding equal civil protection and religious autonomy for all Christian families while respecting the religious autonomy, ecclesiastical traditions, and internal governance of every Christian denomination, they said that their recommendations should be considered transparently and the proposed amendments, outstanding concerns and points of disagreement should all be formally documented and placed on the official record.

Finally, it was demanded that every ecclesiastical institution participating in the consultative process shall retain the full right to articulate and submit its own position independently.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2026