Pakistan Parliament has passed landmark Bill to regulate marriages of minority Hindus.

Pakistan’s Hindus are set to get an exclusive personal law to regulate marriages after the National Assembly unanimously adopted the Hindu Marriage Bill, 2017.

It was the second time that the National Assembly passed the Bill. It passed the bill in September last but had to pass it again as its version of the Bill was changed by the Senate when it adopted the Bill in February.

As per rules, the same text should be passed by the two Houses of Parliament before it is sent to the President for his signature and promulgation for implementation. The final text approved by both Houses includes the Shadi Parath — a document similar to ‘Nikahnama’ in Muslims. The Shadi Parath will be required to be signed by a pundit and registered with the relevant government department. The simple document has eight columns starting with the date of marriage, followed by the name of the union council, tehsil, town and district. The document has columns for particulars of the bridegroom — his name and father’s name, date of birth, date and place where the marriage is solemnised, temporary address, etc. It also contains the matrimonial status — single, married, divorced, widower and the number of dependents. Similar details are required for the bride, except for one change. Her mother’s name must also to be written in the document. Both the bride and the groom have to sign the document along with one witness and the registrar. The Bill will help Hindu women to get documentary proof of their marriage.