JUI-F announces drive against 'un-Islamic' child marriage law

Express Tribune

4 days ago

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday came out strongly against the recently enacted Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025, announcing a nationwide protest campaign to "raise awareness" among the public.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, the JUI-F supremo categorically rejected the legislation, claiming it undermined Islamic values and societal norms by criminalising underage marriage while enabling extramarital relationships.
"Pakistan is a strange country during the time of General Musharraf, a constitutional amendment was passed in the name of women's rights that decriminalised sexual intercourse outside of marriage," he said. "It took it out of the realm of sin."
"Now, they are trying to ban the marriage of people under 18. The CII has already rejected this and all ulemas and their parties have agreed that it contradicts the Quran and sunnah," he added, accusing the government of trampling constitutional guarantees.
Fazl announced that his party would launch a series of protest activities in response to the law, including rallies and a major public conference scheduled for June 29 in Hazara Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
"We will stage rallies, but they won't focus on one subject, like Al-Aqsa Mosque," he said. "Now, we will host rallies to create awareness about national sovereignty and Islamic governance."
"God willing, we will present our stance to the world freely. Islam is a faith that moves with the world and can be beneficial."
The law, which was signed by the president on May 27 following its passage through both houses of Parliament, aims to prohibit child marriage in Islamabad by outlawing marriages involving individuals under the age of 18.