Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati directed authorities to acquire Christian Marriage Act draft approved by Sindh Assembly to assist in drafting a law for implementation in KP.
Chairing a consultative meeting regarding the Act in the assembly’s conference room on Saturday, Speaker Swati said that discussion aimed to openly address relevant issues and pave way for unanimous legislation through consultation with all parties.
He said that because religion was a highly sensitive topic, it was crucial to avoid emotional or unnecessary debates; instead, focus on finding workable, lasting solutions through mutual consultation.
Speaker Swati urged all relevant parties to sit together and address existing societal problems rather than ignoring them, warning that failing to implement timely reforms would increase social complications for which everyone would share responsibility.
To build a comprehensive and effective legal draft by consensus, he directed that Sindh Assembly’s draft law, along with proposals prepared by KP Assembly member Askar Pervez and other stakeholders, be provided to Law Minister Aftab Alam for a detailed review.
The ultimate goal, Swati highlighted, was to create best possible legal package that ensures welfare and improvement of all affected communities.
Moving forward, Speaker announced plans to contact Speaker of National Assembly to pursue a uniform, nationwide implementation if approved at federal level. However, he clarified that if progress is delayed nationally for any reason, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly will independently initiate legislation to provide a balanced and workable legal framework to people as soon as possible.
The meeting, besides others, was attended by Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed, Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam, provincial assembly members Askar Pervez, Shazia Tehmas, Meher Sultana, and Gurdeep Singh.