ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Wednesday proposed that the practice of making divorce an act of three vocalised sentences be made an offence.

The CII proposed numerous resolutions on Wednesday, the final day of its convention which was chaired by Maulana Mohammad Khan Sherani.

Religious experts, clerics, researchers and the 11 members of the council were present at the meeting in which 14 issues were conferred upon.

Under many interpretations of Islamic law, men easily can obtain a divorce known as “talaq” by simply declaring their intention three times. A woman, however, usually needs the pronouncement of a Muslim judge who is a scholar in the field of Islamic jurisprudence.

Earlier, the CII had suggested that the divorce sought by a woman would go into effect if the husband fails to respond within three months. It also recommended registering the first declaration of divorce by the husband, following which the second and third declaration would terminate the marriage.

The recommendations sparked a row as religious scholars and political parties criticised the Council for Islamic Ideology of misinterpreting the Islamic Shariat laws. Critics were of the view that the Council has no right to suggest reforms against the basic spirit of Shariah Laws.