For the first time in years, precisely after the 1960s, the nikkah namma and the divorce papers are set for some major changes in Pakistan. The nikkah namma is not a piece of cake; there are various clauses and commands which the couples need to follow and enlist while they pen down their union.

CCI, the Council of Islamic Ideology research was observed working towards updating two crucial papers in Islam, the Nikkahnama and the Talaqnamma. The main purpose behind making these changes is to bring them as per the requirements of today’s time and era.

As per the laws and constitution of Pakistan, marriage and divorce papers were drafted in the 1960s. According to CCI, these documents are now cumbersome and obsolete, which is why they are not appropriate in light of the current culture and emerging issues that need to be addressed.

The Chairman of CCI, Dr. Qibla Ayaz Wishes to Protect the Rights of Women Through these Documents

The chairman, in an interview with a local publication, shared that he there is an urgent need of protecting the rights of women, and therefore the new drafts of the nikkahnama and talaqnamma will help.

According to Dr. Qibla, there will be two major changes in the new drafts:

1. Clear Language on the Nikkahnama

The new nikkahama will provide the provision for the bride to be able to dissolve the marriage, but in a clearer marriage. While this clause was previously mentioned in the practiced draft as well, it was unclear and vague, which led to women left at the disadvantage of getting out of marriages that were not right for them.

The chairman at this point shared that it will be his duty to work with other stakeholders and assure that clearer provision is provided. Additionally, he added that there will be certain restrictions that present in the nikkahnama that cannot be removed without the permission of the woman/bride to be.

2. Change to the Divorce Papers

The chairman shared that there crucial changes that need to be made to the talaqnama as well. He shared that men who practice the ‘triple talaq’ principle will be punished and this decision was made under the consultative body.

As one may know, triple talaq refers to that practice where the man, in anger and hurriedly divorces his wife by repeating the world ‘talaq’ three times, in one go.

Recently, Indian outlawed this as well and CCI hopes to set a similar example by following the Alla India Muslim Persona Law Board in this regard.

Let’s hope this brings the best of marriages in Pakistan!