ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has said that its composition is complete and all its members are qualified in accordance with constitutional requirements.

Secretary Riazur Rahman said in a statement on Tuesday that the council’s chairman, Dr Khalid Masood, had clarified in a meeting with Law Minister Farooq H. Naek that it comprised nine members. The minimum requirement was eight.

He said all members had the “necessary qualifications and experience” to undertake research on Islamic law and philosophy.

The minister was told that the Constitution did not support appointments in the council on sectarian lines.

Farooq Naek said the government would study recommendations sent by the CII for making amendments in accordance with Quran and Sunnah to laws related to divorce and maintenance.According to Article 228 of the Constitution: “The CII shall consist of such members, being not less then eight and not more than 20, as the president may appoint from amongst persons having knowledge of the principles and philosophy of Islam as enunciated in the Holy Quran and Sunnah or understanding of the economic, political, legal or administrative problems of Pakistan.”

The CII said its members included three judges, a woman and reputed scholars with PhD qualification in Islamic jurisprudence, research and economics and had years of research experience.

In addition to the chairman, the members of the council are: Dr Rashid Ahmed Jalandhri, Dr Manzoor Ahmad, Justice (retd) Munir Ahmad Mughal, Maulana Abdullah Khilji, Dr Syed Mohsin Muzaffar Naqvi, Allama Javed Ahmad Ghamdi, Advocate Syed Afzal Haider and Dr Faiz Balquees.