A clause in the draft Hindu marriage bill stating that a marriage can be annulled if either of spouses converts to another religion, triggered vehement contest in Pakistan between its opponents and supporters.
Senator Nasreen Jalil, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, called a meeting of the panel to discuss the matter and end the controversy. The draft legislation has been passed by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Law and Justice.
Few said that the clause might be misused for forced conversions of married Women the same way young girls are being subjected to forced conversions. He referred the example of kidnapping of teenage Hindu girls who were then presented in courts with a certificate that she married after converting to Islam.
Another member added that the clause will discourage cross-marriages.