Latest news with #SaminaMumtazZehri
Express Tribune
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Patchwork or reformed justice?
Listen to article Selective morality does not make for sound legislation. That, unfortunately, is what Pakistan's latest move to curtail the death penalty seems to embody. In a bid to retain GSP+ trade concessions from the EU, the Senate of Pakistan has passed a bill that abolishes capital punishment for harbouring hijackers and for the public stripping of women — two serious offences — while leaving more than a hundred others untouched. This piecemeal amendment reeks of convenience rather than conviction. It appears designed to tick boxes for international partners rather than reflect any meaningful shift in the state's approach to justice or human rights. No broader framework has been presented to justify why certain crimes merit the death penalty while others do not. Instead, the government has opted for selective rollback without a principled foundation. Criticism from both treasury and opposition benches in the Senate points to this very disconnect. PTI's Barrister Ali Zafar equated the public stripping of a woman with murder, arguing that such crimes warrant the harshest possible punishment. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri cautioned that lighter sentences in such cases may embolden criminals rather than deter them. There is merit in these concerns — not necessarily because the death penalty is the answer, but because the reform itself lacks depth and cohesion. If capital punishment is to be curtailed, it must be done with a comprehensive review of all offences that currently carry the sentence, followed by a national debate on what constitutes a "most serious crime". The removal of the death penalty for just two offences, without a broader review of Pakistan's capital punishment regime, reflects an ad hoc approach that neither satisfies moral imperatives nor strengthens the justice system. It only deepens the confusion. Eventually, lawmakers must consider the role of capital punishment in a modern justice system and within the context of Pakistan's socio-economic paradigm, through proper consultation with legal and human rights experts.
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Proposed amendments in PPC: Senate panel seeks final opinion of CII
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Tuesday sought the final opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on proposed amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) concerning the estimation and payment of blood money (diyyah). The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, chaired by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, reviewed the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to revise Sections 323, 330, and 331 of the PPC. The bill was introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri. Explaining the rationale behind the proposed changes, the mover told the committee that the issue of blood money (diyyah) has long been a matter of concern for both jurists and the judiciary due to its great importance in people's daily lives. The bill seeks to modernise the valuation mechanism of diyyah, taking into account contemporary economic conditions and the spirit of Sharia, she says. According to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill that since traditional assets such as camels, gold, and silver have fluctuated significantly in value and accessibility, a modern framework is essential to ensure fairness for both victims' families and offenders. It is also necessary to create deterrence so that no one simply pays blood money (diyyah) and gets away, while the victim's family continues to suffer, it says. The committee recognised that the minimum amount of diyyah must be consistent with Sharia stipulations, as reaffirmed by the representative of the CII, who stated: The minimum amount of diyyah remains fix grams of gold and any amendment must strictly adhere to the injunctions of the holy Quran and Sharia. The committee deferred the bill for further deliberations in order to get comprehensive input from all relevant stakeholders. It decided to invite the Ministry of Interior to share their viewpoints, particularly on the practical implementation of the proposed amendments. The committee sought the final opinion of the CII, so that no legislation on diyyah must fall outside the bounds of Quranic principles. The parliamentary body for Ministry of Law will compile a comparative chart on values of silver, gold; etc, and to outline the prevailing practices in other Muslim countries. Senators Shahadat Awan, Kamran Murtaza, Mohammad Abdul Qadir, Zamir Hussain Ghumro, the Minister of State for Law and Justice, and Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri also attended the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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.
