Latest news with #FamilyCourts(Amendment)Bill
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate sub-committee okays divorcee support bill
A Senate sub-committee on Monday approved the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which requires family courts to set a monthly maintenance amount for divorcees and their children at the first hearing of a case. The bill was moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri and aims to reduce the impact of prolonged divorce cases on women with no source of income. The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice's Sub-Committee was held here on Monday which was chaired by Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro. The session reviewed the bill which had first been introduced in the Senate on September 9, 2024. Committee members agreed that unresolved divorce cases in family courts often leave women and children without financial support for years. They pointed out that most affected women in the country lack independent income and face serious financial difficulties during court proceedings. Senator Zehri explained that about 90 per cent of women in the country do not earn independently, and delays in maintenance decisions deepen their financial troubles. She said the bill aims to make courts set a fixed maintenance amount early on, to provide immediate relief. The proposed law mandates courts to determine maintenance at the initial hearing. If the defendant fails to pay by the 14th of each month, their right to present a defense will be withdrawn. In that case, courts can pass a decision based on the complainant's claims and documents. The additional secretary of the Ministry of Law and Justice noted that similar legal changes have already taken effect in Punjab. He added that the Ministry's role applies only to federal-level matters. Senator Ghumro, who chaired the meeting, referred to Article 35 of the Constitution, which assigns the State the responsibility of protecting families, especially women and children. He said that failure to ensure financial support during divorce proceedings harms vulnerable families and weakens social protections. Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, who attended the meeting, backed the proposed law. She praised the initiative and urged the introduction of more such proposals to protect women's rights.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Senate panel backs bill to ensure timely maintenance for divorced women, children
Listen to article A Senate sub-committee on Monday unanimously approved the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which mandates family courts to fix monthly maintenance for financially dependent female divorcees and their children at the very first hearing. The bill, introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri on September 9, 2024, seeks to provide immediate financial relief to women and children left vulnerable during prolonged divorce proceedings. Zehri highlighted that nearly 90% of women in Pakistan lack independent income, making timely maintenance essential. Under the proposed amendment, courts must set a fixed maintenance amount at the initial hearing. If the defendant fails to pay by the 14th of each month, they forfeit their right to present a defence, allowing the court to rule based solely on the complainant's claims and evidence. Chairing the meeting, Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro stressed the constitutional duty of the state under Article 35 to protect the family unit, particularly women and children. He noted that delays in maintenance decisions weaken social protections and harm vulnerable families. Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan also supported the bill, calling it a progressive step toward safeguarding women's rights. She encouraged further legislation in this direction. The additional secretary of the Ministry of Law and Justice noted that similar reforms are already implemented in Punjab, although the ministry's jurisdiction is limited to federal matters. Following unanimous approval by the sub-committee, the bill now moves to the main Senate committee, with full Senate consideration expected in the coming sessions.
