Islamabad:
The Senate Law and Justice Committee approved several legislative bills related to DIYAT, women’s rights and public welfare on Friday.
The Committee, under the leadership of President Senator Farooq H Naek, met at the Parliament’s House in the continuation of his previous session to consider fundamental reforms in Criminal Law, Family Law and Constitutional Provisions.
The Committee approved crucial amendments to the Pakistan Criminal Code bill (amendment), 2025, presented by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, raising the minimum Diyat value of 30,663 grams to 45,000 grams of silver.
The revised figure reflects changing economic realities and aims to standardize the financial component of compensation in the light of inflation and public expectations.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri said the amendment strictly adheres to Islamic mandates, which reinforces the alignment of the bill with the principles of the Shariah. Despite this, Senator Kamran Murtaza registered his dissent, citing concerns about the practical implications for the financially disadvantaged conviction.
Senator Farooq H Naek, the president’s committee, commenting on the increase in the amount of Diyat, declared that the review was essential to improve deterrence, defend the holiness of life and guarantee fair compensation to the heirs of the deceased.
He praised the members of the Committee for his constructive contribution and reaffirmed the commitment of the committee to pursue legal reforms focused on people who reflect evolving social needs.
The Committee also adopted the subcommittee report on the Family Courts Law (amendment), 2024, also presented by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri.
The legislation requires that maintenance assignments for a divorced woman and her children should look at the first audience.
In addition, if the defendant does not pay maintenance before the 14th of each month, the defense will be eliminated and the case decreed based on the demand and the evidence of support.
Senator Zehri emphasized the serious need for this reform, stating that in Pakistan, divorce procedures often extend for years, disproportionately affecting women and children who lack financial independence. “This amendment guarantees timely relief and maintains the dignity of vulnerable families.”
The president’s committee and all members vehemently support pro-women and public interest legislation, emphasizing that “laws that protect vulnerable and guarantee that rapid justice is the need for the hour.”
However, Senator Kamran Murtaza presented a dissident note, expressing constitutional concerns under article 10-A related to the right to a fair trial.
With respect to the bill of the Constitution (amendment), 2025, which seeks changes in article 27, introduced by Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, the engine withdrew the bill with the consent of the committee, recognizing its redundancy in the light of a recent judgment of the Supreme Court and the third condition existing to article 27 (1) of the Constitution.
The meeting was attended by Senators Shahadat Awan, Kamran Murtaza and Samina Mumtaz Zehri, along with officials from the relevant government departments.
