About the Council

Introduction

The Council of Islamic Ideology is a constitutional body that advises the legislature on whether a certain law is repugnant to Islam, in light of the Qur'an and Sunnah. This website is designed to provide information about the activities of the Council.

History

The office of the council was located in Lahore where it continued to work until 26 September 1977 when its offices were shifted to Islamabad. The Council shifted to its own building in September, 1995.

Since its establishment, the Council has held 245 meetings, reviewed numerous laws, recommended various legislative measures, and submitted more than 120 reports to the relevant authorities.

In addition to reviewing existing laws, the Council's current functions include submitting recommendations to Parliament, examining references received from the President of Pakistan, Provincial Governors, and both Houses of Parliament, conducting research, publishing reports and studies, organizing seminars and conferences, and disseminating its work through its official website.

Functions

As per Article 230 of the Constitution, the functions of the Council are:

1. To make recommendations to Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and the Provincial Assemblies as to the ways and means of enabling and encouraging the Muslims of Pakistan to order their lives, individually and collectively, in all respects in accordance with the principles and concepts of Islam as enunciated in the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah;
2. To advise a House, a Provincial Assembly, the President, or a Governor on any question referred to the Council as to whether a proposed law is or is not repugnant to the Injunctions of Islam;
3. To make recommendations as to the measures for bringing existing laws into conformity with the Injunctions of Islam and the stages by which such measures should be brought into effect; and
4. To compile, in a suitable form, for the guidance of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and the Provincial Assemblies, such Injunctions of Islam as can be given legislative effect.

Where a House, a Provincial Assembly, the President, or the Governor considers that, in the public interest, a proposed law should not be postponed until the Council's advice is furnished, the law may be made before the advice is furnished — provided that where the Council advises that the law is repugnant to the Injunctions of Islam, the House, Assembly, President, or Governor shall reconsider the law so made.

The Council shall submit its final report within seven years of its appointment and shall submit an annual interim report. Each report is laid for discussion before both Houses and each Provincial Assembly within six months of receipt, and Parliament and the Assembly shall enact laws in respect thereof within two years of the final report.

Council’s Composition

As provided under Article 228 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973.

The Council of Islamic Ideology consists of not less than eight and not more than twenty members, including the Chairman, all appointed by the President of Pakistan. Members are selected from among persons having knowledge of the principles and philosophy of Islam as enunciated in the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah, or possessing an understanding of the economic, political, legal, or administrative issues of Pakistan. In constituting the Council, due consideration is given to the representation of various schools of Islamic thought. The Constitution further provides that:

• Not less than two members shall be, or shall have been, Judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan or a High Court;
• Not less than one-third of the members shall be persons having at least fifteen years' experience in Islamic research or instruction; and
• At least one member shall be a woman.