Pakistan's Islamabad capital administration has notified the Hindu Marriage Act 2017, more than five years after its passage, a development that could benefit members of the minority community who can now solemnise their marriage in line with established rituals, a media report said on Friday.
The notification titled ‘Islamabad Capital Territory Hindu Marriage Rules 2023’ will pave the way for the implementation of the marriage act passed in 2017 in the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan provinces as well, the Dawn newspaper reported.
According to the rules, relevant Union Councils in Islamabad will register a ‘Maharaj’ to solemnise marriages.
According to the report, a Hindu male with adequate knowledge of Hinduism can become a ‘Pundit’ or ‘Maharaj’.
However, the 'Maharaj' will be appointed only after the submission of a character certificate from the local police and the written approval of at least 10 members of the Hindu community, the report said.
Similar to the case of the “registered nikah-khawan” for Muslims, respective Union Councils will issue a “Shaadi Pert” (marriage certificate) to the ‘Maharaj’ registered with the relevant local government body.