LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar met a minority delegation here on Thursday and assured that he would take personal interest to make rules of business of the Hindu Marriage Act 2017 implemented in the province.
The National Lobbying Delegation for Minority Rights, a group composed of several minority members, had a meeting with Sarwar at the Governor House and presented their demands on their personal laws.
The Hindu Marriage Act was enacted in 2017 but since then there were no rules of business made and implemented which is why the Act was still not in force. The community never had any laws to the governor their marriage and other family laws. Through the Act is legislated in 2017, but due to lack of rule of business, they are still dysfunctional.
The Delegation also presented a request for amendment in Christian Divorce Act 1869 and Christian Divorce Act 1872. These laws have never been amended since their enactment during British rule. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has several times assured the Christian community that their personal laws will be overhauled.
Since the promulgation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, religious minorities have become a minority subject. Under Article 144 of Constitution, however, a provincial assembly can pass a resolution to delegate powers to the federation to legislate on such provincial matters. Chaudhary Sarwar assured the Delegation that he would personally interest to have a resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly in favor of amendments in the Christian personal laws.
The Delegation was comprised of Hyderabad based lawyer M. Parkash Mehtani, rights activist Krishan Sharma from Mithi, legal expert Pirbhu Satyani, Dr. Ashothama Lohano from Badin, rights activist Haroon Sarab Dayal from Peshawar, Kinnard College University lecturer Ayra Inderyas, rights lawyer Atif Jameel and politician Habkook Gill from Faisalabad and Lahore-based journalist Asif Aqeel.