Ehsaas Ration okayed: Failure to use new nikahnama entails jail term: CM.

LAHORE -- Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday declared that any Nikkah registrar who fails to use the new nikkah form (amended) will end up in jail for month one.

The chief minister also instructed the authorities concerned to ensure availability of new nikkah forms across the province. A nikah is usually solemnized by local prayer leaders registered with the government. Known as nikkah khawan or nikkah registrar, they fill up several columns of nikahnama before solemnizing the marriage.

Talking with Maulana Muhammad Hanif Jalandhari, General Secretary of Wifaqul Madaris Al-Arabia Pakistan, Pervaiz Elahi said that nikkah registrars who fail to use the new form will face a one-month jail term and a fine.

Jalandhari called on Elahi in Lahore on Sunday and appreciated the chief minister for his decision to amend the nikkah form. He said that Pervaiz Elahi has rendered a great service to the religion of Islam and will be remembered for it.

Jalandhari also lauded Elahi's efforts to promote religious harmony in Punjab.

The amended nikahnama requires the bride and the groom to declare that they believe in the finality of the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (SAWW). The decision to amend the nikkan form was taken under then-Chief Minister Usman Buzdar before he step down at the end of March 2022.

A statement issued by the Punjab government said that the provincial cabinet, under Buzdar, approved an amendment to Muslim Family Laws Ordinance on March 1, 2022.

The decision followed a Punjab Assembly resolution passed unanimously on October 26, 2021, demanding that a declaration about the finality of the Prophethood (SAWW) be included on the nikkah...