Pak fast tracks Hindu marriage bill |
Pakistani parliament`s law and justice standing committee approved the much-delayed Hindu Marriage Bill in February 2016 . The legislation is now expected to sail through with ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz lawmakers Ramesh Kumar Vankwani and Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk being its main protagonists.The bill was virtually gathering dust since it was first proposed with the restoration of democracy in 2008.It picked up steam after Pakistan`s top court ordered its approval within two weeks in January for immediate passage.Vankwani managed to get support of the human rights panel of Pakistani Senate on February 17 regarding removal of a controversial clause in the bill. The provision says a marriage could be annulled if a spouse converts.Vakwani told the panel the clause could lead to forceful conversion of married women, which remains a major Hindu concern in Pakistan.Senator Farhatullah Babar of the Pakistan People`s Party (PPP), which rules Sindh where 90% of Pakistani Hindus live, backed Vankwani in annulling the clause, calling it "a grave rights violation``. The panel`s chairunderperson, Nasreen Jalil, who belongs to Sindh-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement, called the clause repugnant.
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