# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article “Patriarchal views” by Editorial, Published in Dawn on May 29th, 2025:* The editorial criticizes the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for obstructing pro-women legislation in Pakistan by labeling it “un-Islamic,” specifically targeting the *Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025*, which sets the minimum marriage age at 18 and was passed by the National Assembly and Senate but rejected by the CII. The CII also deemed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s *Child Marriage Restraining Bill* and mandatory *thalassaemia screening* before marriage as violations of Islamic principles, declaring the latter optional. The editorial highlights the CII’s consistent opposition to progressive laws, such as a previous women’s protection bill allowing husbands to “beat” wives “when needed” and devaluing DNA evidence in rape cases, which it argues defies reason, science, human rights, and Pakistan’s international legal commitments. It accuses parliamentarians of enabling regressive, patriarchal views to maintain male control, impeding national progress. The editorial calls for political leadership to adopt modern stances, for educated religious leaders to reinterpret scripture progressively, and for public pressure to drive change. It urges the legislature to align with constitutional obligations without regressing, questioning the CII’s role in diluting progressive bills and pushing Pakistan backward. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: The *Council of Islamic Ideology (CII)* rejected the *Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025* (setting the marriage age at 18) and KP’s similar bill as “un-Islamic,” alongside making *thalassaemia screening* optional. The editorial criticizes the CII’s patriarchal opposition to pro-women laws, including past support for wife-beating and dismissing DNA in rape cases, as contrary to reason and international commitments. It calls for modern leadership, progressive religious interpretations, and public action to advance women’s rights. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Reform CII’s Role* Restrict the CII’s authority to advisory status, preventing it from blocking progressive legislation. ## *2. Enforce Pro-Women Laws* Ensure parliament passes and implements laws like the *Child Marriage Restraint Bill* despite CII objections. ## *3. Promote Progressive Religious Interpretations* Engage educated religious scholars to reinterpret Islamic principles in favor of women’s rights and modern values. ## *4. Educate Public on Rights* Launch campaigns to raise awareness about women’s rights under international and constitutional law. ## *5. Strengthen Legislative Independence* Empower parliament to prioritize constitutional obligations over conservative CII rulings. ## *6. Enforce International Commitments* Align national laws with Pakistan’s obligations under treaties like *CEDAW* to protect women and girls. ## *7. Mandate Health Screenings* Make *thalassaemia screening* compulsory before marriage to promote public health, overriding CII objections. ## *8. Counter Patriarchal Norms* Promote gender equality through education and media to challenge cultural acceptance of male control. ## *9. Support Women’s Advocacy Groups* Fund and amplify organizations advocating for women’s rights to pressure lawmakers for change. ## *10. Monitor Legislative Progress* Establish a parliamentary committee to track and ensure progressive laws are not stalled by conservative groups. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - The *Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025*, setting the minimum marriage age at 18, was passed by the *National Assembly* and *Senate* but rejected by the *CII* as “un-Islamic.” - The KP government’s *Child Marriage Restraining Bill* was also deemed a violation of Islamic principles by the CII. - The CII declared *thalassaemia screening* before marriage optional, not compulsory. - Past CII actions include supporting a women’s protection bill allowing husbands to “beat” wives “when needed” and devaluing DNA evidence in rape cases. - The CII’s actions are seen as flouting Pakistan’s commitments under international law. - The legislature is constitutionally obligated to align laws with Islamic injunctions. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - Pakistan signed the *Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)* in *1996*, committing to gender equality. - Over *80%* of marriages in Pakistan involve girls under 18, per *UNICEF* 2024 data. - *Thalassaemia* affects ~*100,000* Pakistanis, with mandatory screening reducing carrier marriages in other countries (WHO, 2024). - The CII, established in *1973* under Article 230 of the Constitution, advises on Islamic compliance of laws. - Pakistan’s *Human Development Index* ranking was *164 out of 193* in 2024, partly due to gender inequality (UNDP). - The *Women’s Protection Act* of *2016* faced CII opposition but was passed after revisions. # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What minimum marriage age does the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, propose?* A. 16 *B. 18* C. 21 D. 14 ### 2. *What did the CII declare about thalassaemia screening before marriage?* A. Compulsory *B. Optional* C. Un-Islamic D. Mandatory for women only ### 3. *Which past CII stance allowed husbands to “beat” wives?* A. Divorce law reform *B. Women’s protection bill* C. Inheritance law D. Child custody law ### 4. *What does the editorial accuse parliamentarians of enabling?* A. Economic reforms *B. Patriarchal views* C. Educational progress D. Healthcare advancements ### 5. *What is the legislature obligated to align with, per the article?* A. International trade agreements *B. Islamic injunctions* C. Secular principles D. Regional policies # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Patriarchal* (پدر شاہی) – Relating to a system dominated by male authority 2. *Regressive* (رجعت پسند) – Moving backward or opposing progress 3. *Obstructed* (روکنا) – Blocked or prevented from advancing 4. *Whims* (خواہشات) – Sudden or capricious desires 5. *Perplexing* (حیران کن) – Confusing or puzzling 6. *Flouted* (نافرمانی) – Openly disregarded or defied 7. *Injunctions* (احکامات) – Authoritative orders or directives 8. *Predicaments* (مشکلات) – Difficult or problematic situations 9. *Compels* (مجبور کرنا) – Forces or drives action 10. *Wedged* (پھنسنا) – Stuck or trapped between opposing forces 11. *Scripture* (مذہبی تحریریں) – Sacred or religious texts 12. *Vets* (جانچنا) – Examines or evaluates carefully 13. *Progressive* (ترقی پسند) – Favoring reform or advancement 14. *Legislation* (قانون سازی) – Laws or the process of making laws 15. *Constitutional* (آئینی) – Relating to a constitution or its principles 16. *Restraint* (روک) – Limitation or control 17. *Compulsory* (لازمی) – Required or mandatory 18. *Interpretation* (تشریح) – Explanation or understanding of meaning 19. *Foster* (فروغ دینا) – Promote or encourage development 20. *Obligated* (پابند) – Legally or morally bound to act --- 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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The Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, passed by the National Assembly and the Senate, has now been shot down by the council as “un-Islamic”; it fixes the minimum age for marriage at 18 years. In addition, the Child Marriage Restraining Bill draft by the KP government was termed a violation of Islamic principles, while thalassaemia screening before marriage was declared optional for both sides and not compulsory. It is perplexing to witness our parliamentarians enable such regressive views, apparently to foster male control. Over time, it has become as clear as day that protecting women and girls cannot depend on the whims of such patriarchal groups that have repeatedly obstructed progressive regulations. From formulating a women’s protection bill that permitted a husband to beat his wife “when needed”, opposing a minimum age for marriage to stating that DNA evidence holds secondary value in rape cases, it has not just defied all understanding, reason, science and basic human freedoms, but flouted Pakistan’s commitments under international law. The political leadership needs to adopt a more modern and assured stance for national progress. Pakistan’s human rights predicaments will be resolved when the public compels its leadership to transform lives. In a country where women are wedged between custom and obligation, educated influential religious leaders ought to take charge of the manner in which scripture is interpreted, and the parliament has to stop marching backwards. The legislature is obligated by the Constitution to legislate in line with Islamic injunctions. It is time to reconsider the role played by the CII as the way it vets bills, and waters them down, is taking us back in time instead of marching forward. Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2025