Amjad Hadi Yousafzai
LAHORE: A broad coalition of seven human rights and development organisations, in collaboration with the National Commission on the Status of Women and minority rights advocates, has launched a two-day national consultation in Lahore to push for reforms in Pakistan’s Christian personal laws.
The consultation brought together more than 180 stakeholders, including parliamentarians, legal experts, academics, theologians, and faith leaders, to deliberate on proposed amendments to the Christian Marriage Act of 1872 and the Christian Divorce Act of 1869. The event was organised by the National Lobbying Delegation (NLD), Society for Human Equality and Empowerment, Baithak, Community World Service Asia, Peace and Development Foundation (PDF), District Development Association Tharparkar (DDAT), and Be The Change.
The opening panel, moderated by Advocate Atif Jameel of the NLD, examined legal and social challenges faced by Pakistan’s Christian community and explored practical pathways for reform. Speakers included lawmakers and provincial assembly members who questioned delays in legislative progress and urged swift action on long-pending proposals.
A deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly raised concerns over legislative inertia, questioning why reforms for human welfare remain delayed. “If laws can be made for forests, then why not for human beings?” he remarked, calling for collective political will to drive change.
Members of the Punjab Assembly and Balochistan Assembly stressed the importance of strengthening family institutions and utilising constitutional space for reform across religious communities. A representative from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly also participated in the discussions.
The second panel, moderated by Romana Basheer, CEO of the Peace and Development Foundation and an NLD member, focused on theological interpretations and the evolving role of Christian institutions in addressing family law issues.
A bishop present at the consultation emphasised that legal frameworks must evolve with societal needs, stating that justice requires continuous adaptation. A Reverend Doctor highlighted that while divorce exists within Christian theology, the debate centres on legal grounds and protections, stressing that compassion must guide marital dispute resolution.
Lawmakers from across political parties, including members of provincial assemblies and advisers on minority affairs, reaffirmed support for introducing the draft Christian Personal Laws bill, which has remained pending since 2017. Participants urged the federal government to end nearly a decade of legislative stagnation and expedite its passage.
Deliberations focused on strengthening legal safeguards related to marriage registration, divorce, maintenance, guardianship, and inheritance—particularly for women and children in Christian families.
The consultation concluded with participating organisations and lawmakers agreeing on a coordinated strategy to build political consensus and transform the proposed reforms into enforceable legal protections for Pakistan’s Christian minority.
