Islamabad:
The Senate’s Standing Committee for Law and Justice approved on Friday various regulatory bills related to DIYAT, women’s rights and public welfare.
The committee, under the leadership of chairman Senator Farooq H naek, convened to the Parliament House in continuing its previous session to consider pivotal reforms in criminal law, family law and constitutional provisions.
The committee approved decisive changes to the Bill on Pakistan Penal Code (amendment), 2025, filed by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, raising the minimum value of DIYAT from 30,663 grams to 45,000 grams of silver.
The revised figure reflects changing economic realities and aims to standardize the financial component in compensation in the light of inflation and public expectations.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri assured that the amendment is strictly complying with Islamic injunctions and strengthens the bill’s adaptation to Shariah principles. Despite this, Senator Kamran Murtaza registered his dissent and referred to concern for the practical consequences of financially underprivileged criminal.
Senator Farooq H Naek, Presidency, which comments on the increase in the DIYAT amount, stated that the audit was important to improve deterrence, maintain the holiness of life, and ensure a fair compensation to the heirs of the deceased.
He praised the members of the committee for their constructive input and confirmed the committee’s obligation to pursue human-centric legal reforms that reflect developing societal needs.
The Committee also adopted the Sub -Committee’s report on the Bill on the Family Court (amendments), 2024, also introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri.
The legislation requires that maintenance allowances for a divorced woman and her children be corrected during the first consultation.
Furthermore, if the defendant does not pay maintenance on the 14th of each month, the defense will be turned off and the case is adopted based on complaints and supportive evidence.
Senator Zehri emphasized the great need for this reform and said that in Pakistan, divorce is often drawing for years and affects disproportionate women and children who lack financial independence. “This amendment ensures timely relief and maintains the dignity of vulnerable families.”
Presidency committee and all members supported hard pro-women and legislation of general interest, emphasizing that “laws that protect the vulnerable and ensure rapid justice is the need of the hour”.
However, Senator Kamran Murtaza presented a disagreed note that expressed constitutional concerns under Article 10-A related to the right to a fair trial.
With regard to the Bill on the Constitution (amendment), 2025, which sought amendments to Article 27, introduced by Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, the Mover withdrew the bill with the committee’s consent, recognizing its redundancy in the light of a recent judge on the Supreme Court and the existing third Proviso to Article 27 (2). 1, in Constitution.
The meeting attended the Senators Shahadat Awan, Kamran Murtaza and Samina Mumtaz Zehri together with officials from relevant government departments.
