ISLAMABAD: The 245th meeting of Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) held here on Wednesday approved in principle a bill received from the Sindh Health Department concerning the establishment of an institution for preserving breast milk for needy children. It also proposed several important recommendations for further improvement.
The council allowed the establishment of human milk banks in Pakistan under strict conditions. It ruled that the initiative is permissible in principle but must be governed by clear legislation to prevent misuse and ensure compliance with Islamic injunctions. The council reiterated that it had previously approved the concept during its September meeting last year, emphasizing the need
for a strong legal framework. The earlier discussion followed a request from the Sindh government after the country’s first human milk bank — established in 2023 by the Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology in collaboration with Unicef — was suspended due to religious objections and public criticism.
The meeting conducted a detailed review of a recent Islamabad High Court decision regarding matrimonial assets during marriage. The council noted that it had earlier provided clear recommendations to a Senate Standing Committee, stating that the concept of matrimonial assets is not compatible with Shariah principles. Based on these recommendations, the committee had rejected the relevant bill.
The council expressed regret that despite the bill’s rejection, the Islamabad High Court directed the government to legislate on the matter, calling it an inappropriate course of action. It decided to write letters to the chief justice of Islamabad High Court and speaker of the National Assembly to convey its reservations. Additionally, the council declared the SOPs prepared by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on recycling of sacred pages satisfactory. It expressed concern over an incident involving misconduct by miscreants elements against its member, Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, in London, and urged the government to bring those responsible to justice.
Meanwhile, the council appreciated the extraordinary efforts of the government of Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Field Marshal and CDF Asim Munir regarding the ceasefire in the Middle East and efforts towards a peace agreement.
The CII, which met under the chairmanship of Raghib Hussain Naeemi, also paid tribute to the Pakistan armed forces for their significant victory in last year’s “Battle of Truth”.
“On the completion of one year of the ‘Battle of Truth’, the Council of Islamic Ideology paid tribute to the Pakistan armed forces, especially Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” said a statement issued by the CII Media Wing after the meeting.
