KP govt seeks two months for implementation of updated nikahnama

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has sought a two-month period for the implementation of amendments in the nikahnama (marriage certificate), which now includes clauses related to mandatory testing for thalassemia, hepatitis, AIDS, and other blood diseases.

Following this request, the Peshawar High Court adjourned the hearing until May 25 and sought a reportA bench comprising Justice Ijaz Khan Sabi and Justice Mudassir Ameer heard the petition filed by Advocate Muhammad Nasir Ghilzai, who said that he was the inter-provincial coordinator of the Association of International Lawyers.

He said he had filed the petition to make pre-marital blood tests for thalassemia, hepatitis, HIV, and other necessary medical conditions mandatory in the nikahnama to prevent the spread of these diseases and protect future generations. He said that inserting clauses regarding blood tests in the nikahnama would help control these diseases.

The government had submitted its response in the case, saying that awareness campaigns were being conducted for nikah registrars, relevant officials, and the general public regarding the necessity of pre-marital medical tests. Additionally, nikah registrars would receive training on this matter as well. The petitioner informed the court that approximately 6 to 7 percent of Pakistan’s population suffers from hereditary blood diseases such as thalassemia, and currently, the number of thalassemia major patients who rely on blood transfusions was estimated 50,000 to 100,000. The primary cause of this, he pleaded, was inter-family marriages.

During the hearing, the additional advocate general informed the court that an updated nikahnama format had been prepared, incorporating all necessary clauses requiring pre-marital medical tests.

The new format was also presented before the court, and it was explained that distributing the updated nikahnama to union councils, village councils, and nikah registrars would require an additional two months.

In response, petitioner Nasir Ghilzai advocate argued that since this was a matter of public interest, its implementation should be immediate to prevent the further spread of these diseases.After arguments, the court adjourned the hearing until May 25.