ISLAMABAD: The Right of Expression, Assembly, Association and Thought (REAT) Network has called upon the lawmakers to pass the Hindu marriage act in its true spirits.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Chairman REAT Network Krishan Sharma said for Pakistani Hindus, living without a marriage law for the last 67 years, another year was wasted by lawmakers who, on July 5 delayed the approval of draft Hindu Marriage Act.

He condemned the act of deferring the approval of the proposed Hindu Marriage Act 2015 by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights.

Mr Sharma said that it showed the lack of political will by the Hindu lawmakers to work for the rights of the minorities living in Pakistan.

He maintained that this bill was to establish rules and regulation for registration of marriage and divorce for Hindu Pakistanis, as currently in the absence of such a law, Hindus in the country did not even have a legal document as proof of marriage and by granting approval for the draft would have set a precedent for the provinces to follow.

He said Hindus living in Pakistan also deprived of legal rights such as inheritance, remarriage, separation, adoption of children and annulment of marriage.

The Hindu Marriage Bill was originally drafted by National Commission on Status of Women (NCSW) and presented through private member by PPP`s Ramesh Lal. A Reporter