Bill to curb child marriage becomes law
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years.
The new legislation criminalises the solemnisation of marriages where either the boy or girl is underage.
HRCP slams CII
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly criticised the CII for raising objections to the recently passed Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, calling the move a serious attempt to hinder vital child protection legislation.
It expressed deep concern over the CII's stance, which challenges the bill that sets 18 years as the minimum legal age for marriage and criminalizes child marriage in the federal capital.
"The bill establishes a long-overdue legal standard in Pakistan and aligns with both constitutional guarantees and international human rights commitments," the HRCP stated.
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Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business Recorder
A child welfare law
EDITORIAL: The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill signed by President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday marks a significant step in protecting rights of children, adding momentum to reform efforts subsequent to a similar law enacted by Sindh back in 2013. Raising the minimum legal marriage age to 18 years for both genders, the legislation introduces stringent penalties for those facilitating underage marriages and also classifies sexual relations with minors as statutory rape. It's been warmly welcomed by children and women's rights advocates. UNICEF Pakistan launched a video campaign on Thursday featuring its National Ambassador for Child Rights, famous film and TV star Saba Qamar. In it, she raises a crucial question: 'Why any child in Pakistan be forced into a marriage and a future they did not choose?' Qamar also emphasises that with all the risks to their health and education, the practice should not be allowed to go unchallenged. The National Commission on the Status of Women has also hailed the law, noting the amendment is based on extensive consultations and the legal principle that marriage, a legally binding contract, must meet the same foundational requirements as other civil contracts. In simple words, the two parties to a matrimonial agreement should be able to fully fathom the implications of what they would be getting into. This affirms the familiar and forceful arguments that if under-18 people cannot obtain a national identity card, a driving licence, or serve in the armed forces because they are deemed too immature to make sound decisions the same should apply to a more serious business of getting married. All the more so, considering that such marriages have lifelong effects on physical and mental development as well as health of underage brides. The UNICEF points out that Pakistan has one of the highest numbers of child brides in the world, with an estimated 19 million girls married before age 18. Half of them become pregnant before their 18th birthday, posing serious health risks to both mother and child. Besides, only 13 percent of married girls finish secondary school compared to 44 percent of unmarried peers, limiting opportunities for betterment in the future. Not surprisingly, the new law has drawn criticism from religious parties and like-minded entities. The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), in its advisory capacity to Parliament on Islamic issues, has taken exception to the legislation, saying Islam permits marriage upon reaching puberty and thus setting a fixed minimum age for it is un-Islamic. It is pertinent to recall here that the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act was challenged in the Federal Shariat Court. And the court had upheld the law, declaring that setting a minimum age for marriage was not against the injunctions of Islam. The way forward, clearly, is to reconcile religious interpretations with contemporary socio-legal norms and needs. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
President signs bill criminalising child marriages into law
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law, criminalizing marriages of individuals under 18 years of age. The bill, previously passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate, was introduced by Sharmila Faruqui in the National Assembly and Sherry Rehman in the Senate. The new law imposes strict penalties to curb child marriages and protect minors. Under the legislation, marriage officiants are prohibited from conducting ceremonies involving anyone under 18, with violations punishable by up to one year in prison and a PKR 100,000 fine. Men over 18 marrying girls under 18 face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment. Forcing a minor into marriage carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to PKR 1 million. Additionally, facilitating or trafficking for child marriage is a non-bailable offence, punishable by up to seven years in jail and fines, while abetting such marriages incurs up to three years' imprisonment and a fine. The law mandates courts to conclude related cases within 90 days and classifies cohabitation with a minor under 18 as abuse. It also requires authorities to intervene if they become aware of a planned child marriage. However, the Islamic Ideological Council has previously declared the bill and its penalties 'un-Islamic,' raising concerns about its alignment with religious perspectives.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Bill to curb child marriage becomes law
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years. The new legislation criminalises the solemnisation of marriages where either the boy or girl is underage. HRCP slams CII The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly criticised the CII for raising objections to the recently passed Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, calling the move a serious attempt to hinder vital child protection legislation. It expressed deep concern over the CII's stance, which challenges the bill that sets 18 years as the minimum legal age for marriage and criminalizes child marriage in the federal capital. "The bill establishes a long-overdue legal standard in Pakistan and aligns with both constitutional guarantees and international human rights commitments," the HRCP stated.
