Latest news with #ChildMarriageRestraintBill
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025: Fazl announces nationwide protest movement
PESHAWAR: JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that parliament cannot make legislation contrary to the Quran and Sunnah, adding that today's difficulties were being created for marriage below the age of 18. Addressing at a press conference here on Sunday, Maulana Fazl said Council of Islamic Ideology has rejected Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025. JUI chief announced a nationwide protest movement against the recently proposed legislation on underage marriage, declaring the bill contrary to Islamic teachings. JUI-F chief said the Islamic identity of the country was being deliberately targeted and eroded. 'We are still passing through an era of subjugation,' he remarked, alleging that legislation was being made in violation of the Quran and Sunnah, which the JUI-F would never accept. He also lauded the restoration of ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan as Afghan Taliban Afghanistan had condemned terror activities carried out in Pakistan. Fazl stated that democracy had failed to protect its own space, and laws were being enacted under the pretext of FATF and IMF pressures. 'Today, the Constitution is being trampled upon in Pakistan, and we reject these government actions. A robust movement will be launched against them,' he said. He criticised the proposed law on underage marriage, stating that it goes against Islamic principles. 'The condition for marriage in Islam is not age, but physical maturity (bulugh). The JUI-F completely rejects this bill,' he said, adding that the Council of Islamic Ideology had also dismissed the bill. 'No legislation contrary to the Quran and Sunnah will be accepted. Our stance is clear and unwavering,' he reiterated. The JUI-F leader announced a large public gathering in Hazara Division on June 29, where the party will unveil its future course of action. He also commented on global affairs, saying a new conflict has emerged post-9/11. 'JUI-F believes the Asian region must come together in unity and strength,' he added. Expressing concern over regional tensions, he said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'recklessness' had heightened the threat of conflict. India's aggression poses a real danger. Pakistan and Afghanistan are indispensable to each other, he said. Fazl also criticised PPP, saying its protests were not against corruption but against the exposure of their own alleged corruption. He said if there's truly been Rs 40 billion in corruption, mere accusations are not enough. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Fazl announces nationwide protest against underage marriage law
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced a nationwide protest campaign against the recently proposed legislation on underage marriage, declaring the bill contrary to Islamic teachings. He announced this while addressing an important press conference in Peshawar on Sunday, Aaj News reported. The JUI-F chief said the Islamic identity of the country was being deliberately targeted and eroded. 'We are still passing through an era of subjugation,' he remarked, alleging that legislation was being made in violation of the Quran and Sunnah, which the JUI-F would never accept. The announcement comes days after President Asif Ali Zardari signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill into law, criminalizing marriages of individuals under 18 years of age. The bill, passed by both the National Assembly and the Senate, was introduced by Sharmila Faruqui in the National Assembly and Sherry Rehman in the Senate. During his presser, the JUI-F chief said that democracy had failed to protect its own space, and laws were being enacted under the pretext of FATF and IMF pressures. 'Today, the Constitution is being trampled upon in Pakistan, and we reject these government actions. A robust movement will be launched against them,' he said. He criticised the proposed law on underage marriage, stating that it goes against Islamic principles. 'The condition for marriage in Islam is not age, but physical maturity (bulugh). The JUI-F completely rejects this bill,' he said, adding that the Council of Islamic Ideology had also dismissed the bill. 'No legislation contrary to the Quran and Sunnah will be accepted. Our stance is clear and unwavering,' he reiterated. The JUI-F leader announced a large public gathering in Hazara Division on June 29, where the party will unveil its future course of action. He also commented on global affairs, saying a new conflict has emerged post-9/11. Expressing concern over regional tensions, he said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'recklessness' had heightened the threat of conflict. 'India's aggression poses a real danger. Pakistan and Afghanistan are indispensable to each other,' he said.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- 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
4 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Pak passes law to curb child marriages, sets minimum marriage age to 18
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed into law a bill fixing the minimum age for marriage at 18 years to curb child marriages despite opposition from right-wing clerics. The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, seeking to protect the rights of children and eventually eradicate marriages of children under the age of 18, was sent to the president's approval on May 27 after sailing through both houses of Parliament. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman shared on X a presidential notification related to the approval of the legislation. The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 is assented to, as passed by the Parliament, the notification read. Pakistan has reached a milestone in the enactment of important legislation against child marriages, she said. Zardari accented to the bill despite strong opposition from religious groups and even the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), a constitutional body tasked to offer counsel on legal issues, in a ruling said that classifying marriage under the age of 18 as rape did not conform with Islamic law. Rehman said that the approval of the bill was successful despite resistance from various sections, adding that President Zardari signed the bill despite pressure. The signing of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill is a symbol of a new era of reforms in Pakistan, she said. She hailed the approval as a victory for the protection of the rights of women and children, adding, This law was possible after a long and difficult struggle. This bill is not just a law, it is a commitment that our girls have the right to education, health and a prosperous life, Rehman continued. She thanked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, party leaders, other political parties and representatives of the opposition and the public for their support to the bill. Earlier, CII member Maulana Jalaludin, who belongs to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), said President Zardari should prevent anarchy in society by not signing the bill.
