Islamabad: A Senate sub-committee meeting, chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, convened to discuss legislative measures for expediting divorce proceedings and ensuring financial support for affected parties, took place in Islamabad.

The focus of the meeting was The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri. The bill aims to address prolonged divorce cases and the financial strain they impose on women and children.

Committee members highlighted the necessity for a swift resolution of divorce cases, emphasizing the economic hardships faced by divorcees. They stressed the importance of establishing a monthly interim maintenance amount for affected families.

Senator Zehri explained that many women in Pakistan lack independent income, leading to financial difficulties during protracted divorce proceedings. She advocated for a legally set maintenance amount to support these women and their children.

The proposed bill mandates that Family Courts fix a maintenance amount at the first hearing. It includes provisions for striking off the defendant’s defense if they fail to pay by the stipulated deadline, allowing the court to decree the suit based on the existing documentation.

An official from the Ministry of Law and Justice noted that similar amendments have been implemented in Punjab, clarifying that the Ministry’s jurisdiction is limited federally.

Senator Ghumro underscored the state’s constitutional responsibility to protect families and insisted that neglecting financial support for divorcees poses a serious societal issue. Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, attending virtually, supported the bill and urged further legislative efforts for women’s empowerment.

The sub-committee unanimously passed the bill, forwarding it to the appropriate committee for further consideration in the Senate.