Christian Lawyers Seek Withdrawal of Sindh Christian Family Laws Bill 2026

The Christian Lawyers Forum Sindh and the Karachi Bar Association have called for the withdrawal of the Sindh Christian Family Laws Bill 2026.

The demand came during a joint consultative meeting at the Karachi Bar Association Committee Room. Christian lawyers, church representatives, civil society members and legal professionals attended the meeting.

Karachi Bar Association President Aamir Nawaz Waraich and MPA Roma Mushtaq Mattoo, Advocate, also participated in the discussion.

The Sindh Assembly introduced the private bill earlier this month. On September 8, the assembly referred it to the Standing Committee on Minorities Affairs for examination and a report.

Lawyers Call for Wider Consultation

Addressing the meeting, Waraich urged the Sindh government to consider the reservations raised by Christian lawyers and religious leaders.

He said religious matters require careful consultation. Waraich also urged the government not to rush legislation concerning religious affairs.

The participants called for a comprehensive consultation process before any further legislative action.

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They also asked MPA Roma Mushtaq Mattoo to convey their concerns to the Sindh Assembly, party leadership and the relevant standing committee.

MPA Assures Participants

Speaking at the meeting, Mattoo assured participants that she would convey their concerns to the Sindh government.

She also said she would brief the party leadership and the relevant standing committee about the objections raised by Christian lawyers and religious representatives.

Saleem Michael, Advocate, chaired the meeting.

Christian Lawyers Forum Sindh General Secretary Zeeshan Ejaz, Advocate, briefed participants on the objections raised against the proposed legislation.

Ejaz also informed the meeting about opposition to the bill from representatives of the Church of Pakistan and the Catholic Church.

Christian Representatives Raise Objections

Christian lawyers Barnett Newton, Christopher Charles, Samson Malik and Rizwan Parvez also spoke at the meeting.

Abbas Gul, Salamat Khokhar and Shahid Bhatti were among the other Christian lawyers who attended.

Justice Helpline International Chairman Nadeem Sheikh, Advocate, supported the concerns raised during the meeting.

He also backed the call for withdrawal and stressed the need for detailed consultation with Christian religious representatives and lawyers.

Pastor Shaukat Gill, Chairman of the Pastor Fellowship Council of Pakistan, and Kashif Javed, Coordinator of NCJP, also expressed opposition to the bill.

Civil society representatives voiced support for the concerns raised by the Christian Lawyers Forum.

Calls for Stakeholder Consultation

Karachi Bar Association Human Rights Committee Chairman Mutiullah Gondal, Advocate, also supported the forum’s position.

He said the proposed legislation raised concerns regarding Christian religious beliefs. Gondal stressed the importance of consulting all relevant stakeholders before legislation concerning religious matters proceeds.

The meeting ended with a call for the withdrawal of the private bill.

Participants also appealed to the Sindh government, Pakistan Peoples Party leadership and the Standing Committee on Minorities Affairs to consider the concerns raised by Christian representatives.

Bill Remains Under Assembly Review

The Sindh Christian Family Laws Bill 2026 remains under consideration by the provincial legislature.

The Sindh Assembly’s official notification says Private Bill No. 05 of 2026 was referred to the Standing Committee on Minorities Affairs on September 8. The committee was directed to examine the bill and report back to the assembly within two weeks.

The proposed legislation covers several areas of Christian family law, including marriage registration, dissolution of marriage, judicial separation, maintenance, financial support, remarriage and child custody. Reports on the bill also say it proposes an 18-year minimum marriage age for Christian men and women and a six-month period for deciding family cases.

Zeeshan Ejaz said the Christian Lawyers Forum would continue its consultations.

He also announced plans for another meeting in collaboration with the Sindh High Court Bar Association.