Islamabad The Council for Islamic Ideology, sticking to its guns on its recommendations for proposed reforms in the Muslim Family Laws, said there is no need of a second review.

Recommendations were prepared and finalized after extensive discussions within the council in accordance with the concept, teachings and injunctions of Islam, said Director General Research CII Dr. Syed Nasir Zaidi.

There is no need to make a review on these recommendations, he said adding that minimum eight members of the council have already supported the recommendations for changes in family laws. It is up to the parliament to legislate it or not, as far as CII is concerned it has finalized the recommendations, he said.

The Council for Islamic Ideology has suggested that the divorce sought by a woman would go into effect if the husband fails to respond within three months. It also recommended registering the first declaration of divorce by the husband, following, which the second and third declaration would terminate, the marriage. 

The recommendations have sparked a row as religious scholars and political parties are criticizing the Council for Islamic Ideology of misinterpreting the Islamic Shariat laws. 

The religious-political parties including Jamaat Islami, Jamiat Ulema Islam, Maddaris boards and various Ulema have already rejected CII recommendations. 

They were of the view that the Council has no right to suggest reforms against the basic spirit of Shariat Laws. They demanded the termination of CII Chairman and expansion in its composition. 

Government sources said that an expansion cannot be ruled out in the composition of Council of Islamic Ideology in near future. According to the prescribed rules there should be minimum eight and maximum twenty members of the CII while presently there are only nine members including its Chairman.

The President has the power to induct new members in the Council or extend the employment period for three years, sources said.

The present composition of the Council of Islamic Ideology is Professor Dr. Muhammad Khalid Masud Chairman while other members include Justice Dr. Rashid Ahmed Jalandhri, Dr. Manzoor Ahmad, Justice (r)Dr. Munir Ahmad Mughal, Maulana Abdullah Khilji, Dr.Mohsin Muzaffar Naqvi, Allama Javed Ahmad Ghamdi, Syed Afzal Haider and Dr. Faiz Balqees.