Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Council is research oriented institute, Research wing is headed by Director General of CII, with nine research and translation officers.

It is a constitutional body to advise the Government of Pakistan in legal matters relating Islam.

There are 20 members.

The functions are defined in the articles 228-230 in the 1973 constitution.

A minimum of 8 and a maximum of 20 members make the constitutional composition.

Council does not require representation of sects.

The Council had published a series of 15 reports on Islamization of Laws (1981-84), before the publication of its Final Report in December 1996.

Reports of Review of Laws: Post-1973 period
The work of reviewing laws to identify elements repugnant to Islamic injunctions was continued for the post-1973 period. Accordingly:

• A Review of the first phase (15.8.1973-4.7.1977) appeared in the year 2000
• Work on the 4th phase (1999 to 2002) has been finalized and published in 2003
• Review for the 2nd and 3rd phases (1977 - 1985 and 1985 - 1999) is to be completed

Some examples of guidelines formulated for the scrutiny of laws:

• Existence of element of Riba in any form.
• Any restriction on the right of an aggrieved person to seek redress.
• Acquisition of property without free consent of the owner.
• Any violation of the Islamic law of inheritance.
• Infringement of human dignity or basic rights in detention or imprisonment.
• Denial of the right of appeal against any decision of Government/judgment; at least one right of appeal to be ensured.
• Discrimination in the application of law.
• Violation of the right of privacy.
• Indemnification of actions on the part of the officials.

The following research projects are going on:

• Jail Reforms (Printed: May, 2009)
• Analytical report on the existing laws in Pakistan (1796-2006)
• CII Manual of Style (Printed: March, 2009)
• Islam and Terrorism (Printed: Feb, 2009)
• Religious Sects in Pakistan
• Zakat and Ushr System
• Non-Muslim Citizens in Pakistan
• Hudood Report (Court Decisions)
• Land Reports in Pakistan
• Future Agenda of Change (Islam and West) (Printed: May, 2009)
• Ijtihad, 5th Edition (Printed: July, 2009)
• Domestic Violence

Risala “Ijtihad” covers multidimensional issues. The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has launched the quarterly journal “Ijtihad,” with the Urdu translation of an Egyptian scholar’s book, “Freedom of Women in the Era of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him),” as its first issue, and “Islam and the West” as its second.

As a student of Law, you can get information from the Council's website and from the library of CII. The Council's research projects and reports can help.

For Council publications, please write to the Secretary, CII. Publications are free, but postal expenses must be paid in advance for dispatches outside Pakistan.

Please contact:
Dr Ghulam Dastagir Shaheen
Secretary, CII
Plot # 46-Ataturk Avenue, Sector G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Phone: +92-051-9206059, Email: contact@cii.gov.pk