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Hindu marriage allowed in Pakistan's Sindh province Hindu marriage allowed in Pakistan's Sindh province
(35 minutes later)
A province in Pakistan has become the first in the largely Muslim country to give Hindu's the right to register their marriage. A province in Pakistan has become the first in the largely Muslim country to give Hindus the right to register their marriage officially.
The bill was passed on Monday by lawmakers in Sindh - home to many of Pakistan's three million Hindus.The bill was passed on Monday by lawmakers in Sindh - home to many of Pakistan's three million Hindus.
Hindus have long called for such a law, citing logistical problems as well as forced conversions, underage marriage, and a lack of rights for widows. Activists say that without such a law, Hindu women are targets for forced conversions, abduction and rape, and there is a lack of rights for widows.
The country's national assembly is also considering a similar law.The country's national assembly is also considering a similar law.
Unlike Christians, Pakistan's other main religious minority who have a colonial-era law recognising their marriages, Hindus have never had any legal framework to register their unions. Pakistan's other main religious minority, Christians, have a colonial-era law recognising their marriages. However, Hindus have never had any legal framework to register their unions until now.
Controversial clauseControversial clause
Under the bill, Hindus above the age of 18 in Sindh can register their marriages. It can be applied retroactively to existing unions.Under the bill, Hindus above the age of 18 in Sindh can register their marriages. It can be applied retroactively to existing unions.
But it also contains a controversial clause that allows the marriage to be annulled if any spouse converts. However, the legislation also contains a controversial clause that allows the marriage to be annulled if any spouse converts.
Ramesh Vankwani of the Pakistan Hindu Council said it was a cause for concern among the community. Analysis: Shahzeb Jillani, BBC News, Karachi
"Already we have brought up the issue of forced conversion of Hindu women and girls particularly in rural areas of Sindh with the government and this clause can lead to its misuse," he told news agency PTI. For decades, Pakistan's Hindus have faced discrimination and religious persecution.
Hindus have long complained of this issue, as well as of a lack of protection and rights for widows. In rural Sindh, young Hindu girls have been a regular target for abductions, forced religious conversions and underage marriages. The perpetrators of these crimes often protected by local influential figures linked to Islamic seminaries.
Many Hindu couples also say it is difficult to conduct activities such as opening bank accounts, applying for visas, getting national identity cards and getting shares of property, correspondents say. The provincial government says the new law will help discourage many of these crimes. Rights activists have described it as a progressive measure and a step in the right direction.
The law also comes amid growing violence against Pakistan's minorities. Some Hindus have fled to India in recent years citing discrimination and religious persecution. "Passing the law is one thing, the real test will be how the authorities will go about enforcing it," said Zohra Yusuf of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Pakistan was created in 1947 after being carved out of India's mainly Muslim areas. A huge exchange of population took place during the partition which was often bloody. But the head of Pakistan Hindu Council, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, told the BBC that the law did not go far enough to protect Hindu women from forced conversions. He said the provincial legislation was passed in haste at a time when the Pakistani parliament is debating some of the more controversial sections of the proposed national law.
Today, Hindus are said to make up more than 2% of Pakistan's population. Many Hindu couples also say they face logistical problems with basic activities such as opening bank accounts, applying for visas, getting national identity cards and getting shares of property.
The law comes at a time of increased violence against Pakistan's minorities. Some Hindus have fled to India in recent years citing discrimination and religious persecution.
Pakistan was created in 1947 after India was partitioned at the end of British rule. Today, Hindus are said to make up more than 2% of Pakistan's population.