Sikh marriage law: Pak takes lead

AMRITSAR:
This Baisakhi could witnesser a big figure of Sikh couples converging in
Pakistan for solemnizing their matrimonies and getting it registered under Sikh
Marriage Regulation 2008, which was approved by the Pakistan’s federal
cabinet on Tuesday evening. The
ordinance will go a measure once president Pervez Musharraf, who is on a
foreign tour, marks it. Islamic Republic Of Pakistan have anyway go the first state to ordain a
separate law for enrollment of Sikh marriages, even as Republic Of India is yet to follow
suite despite pressure level from assorted Sikh organizations. Talking to TOI over telephone from
US on Wednesday, Pritpal Singh, convener, American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
(AGPC), informed that Pakistan’s federal cabinet, that met on Tuesday,
approved the Sikh Marriage Regulation 2008, aimed at giving a legal holiness to
their distinct identity. He
said the law would also turn to possible jobs like care and custody
of children, enrollment of matrimony and alimony, which were not covered by the
Anand Marriage Act 1909. Bishan
Singh, president Islamic Republic Of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), informed
that the authorities have specified six topographic points including Nankana Sahib, Karachi,
Peshawar, Capital Of Pakistan and Lahore for solemnising Sikh marriages. He said PSGPC was
hopeful of many Sikh couples arriving in Islamic Republic Of Pakistan for getting their marriages
registered. “This Baiskhi we are expecting batch of Sikh couples from around
the human race to get here for matrimonies as we are already flooded with related
queries,” the PSGPC president
said. Notably, Pakistan’s
minister for law, justness and parliamentary personal business Syed Afzal Haider had
announced to do a separate law for enrollment of Sikh matrimony in Pakistan
during the birth day of remembrance of Guru Nanak Dev in November last year. SGPC
president Avtar Singh Makkar said the commission was also pursuing the
matter. A Sikh matrimony is
called Anand Karaj. This word form of matrimony was introduced from the clip of the
Sikh Gurus and was given statutory acknowledgment during the British regulation in India
by the Anand Marriage Act 1909. However, in Republic Of India the Act now lies redundant
since Sikh matrimonies are registered under Hindoo Marriage Act.