CII to meet tomorrow on human milk banks, second marriage without permission

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) is set to convene a significant meeting tomorrow to discuss various religious and legal matters, including the establishment of human milk banks and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on second marriages without a wife’s consent.

The meeting, which will be led by Council Chairman Allama Raghib Naeemi, will focus on a range of issues, such as women’s inheritance rights, electricity theft, and the use of Zakat funds in Islamic banks.

One of the primary topics will be the Supreme Court’s landmark decision, which grants a wife the right to annul her marriage if her husband marries again without her permission.

The council will also deliberate on the potential establishment of human milk banks in Pakistan, examining its religious and legal implications.

Read more: Pakistan's first human milk bank 'closed' after fatwa from religious scholars

Pakistan's first Shariah-compliant human milk bank was inaugurated by the Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho, officials from UNICEF and the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA) on June 7, 2024 to offer a safe alternative for infants unable to receive breast milk from their mothers due to premature birth.

Premature babies born before 34 weeks gestation or weighing less than 2 kilograms often lack sufficient breast milk, a vital source of nutrients. Formula milk can be a risky alternative, which can lead to serious health complications or even death.