Latest news with #FazlurRehman
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Fazlur Rehman's stance on child marriage bill sparks online criticism
Listen to article Maulana Fazlur Rehman's announcement to protest against the child marriage bill has sparked widespread discussion online. 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. In response, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday announced a nationwide protest against the government's proposed legislation aimed at restricting child marriages, arguing that the bill contradicts Islamic teachings and threatens Pakistan's religious identity. Many users criticised the move, questioning why such a stance was being taken on an issue concerning child protection. Numerous users criticised religious leaders for opposing a law aimed at protecting minors. One user remarked that these groups have never protested against child abuse but are enraged by the child marriage bill. READ MORE: NA passes bill criminalising child marriage Photo: ScreenGrab Photo: ScreenGrab Others emphasised the importance of confronting religious conservatives who are using religion to justify child marriages, warning that failure to resist would only embolden such views further. Several voices on social media called for organised counter-protests by the rational and progressive segments of society to stand up against the protesters opposing the bill. Photo: ScreenGrab Users argued that defending children's rights should be a non-negotiable priority and expressed strong support for the new law, highlighting that early marriage often leads to severe health, psychological, and social consequences for children, especially girls. READ MORE: Child marriages plague impoverished girls Under the new law that banned the underage marriage of boys and girls alike, violators face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000, while a man over 18 marrying an underage girl may face rigorous imprisonment of up to three years. Courts are also empowered to intervene and protect the identities of those reporting such cases. Despite the bill's clear intent to safeguard children from exploitation, it has faced fierce opposition from religious political parties and the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) . The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) 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. READ MORE: CII takes exception to child marriage bill Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Fazl claimed the proposed law is being influenced by foreign agendas. 'Pakistan's identity is Islam, and that identity is under threat,' he said, warning that the bill undermines the country's core values. Fazl accused the government of drafting the legislation based on demands from international bodies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations (UN), rather than adhering to Islamic principles. 'The UN's stance is being used to pass laws against early-age marriages. The President is also refusing to sign the religious seminaries bill,' he added. The JUI-F leader criticised the proposed law as violating the Quran and Sunnah, asserting that such moves weaken democratic processes and inadvertently strengthen extremist narratives. 'Democracy is losing its case, and such actions are empowering the narratives of armed groups,' Fazl warned.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JUI-F announces drive against 'un-Islamic' child marriage law
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.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Fazlur Rehman announces nationwide protests against child marriage bill
Listen to article Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced nationwide protest against proposed legislation restricting underage marriages, calling the bill contrary to Islamic teachings and an attack on Pakistan's religious identity. Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar on Saturday, Fazl claimed the law is being shaped under foreign influence. 'Pakistan's identity is Islam, and that identity is under threat,' he said. He accused the government of drafting legislation based on recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and United Nations resolutions, rather than Islamic principles. 'The UN's stance is being used to pass laws against early-age marriages. The President is also refusing to sign the religious seminaries bill,' he added. Fazl criticised what he described as legislation in violation of the Quran and Sunnah. 'Democracy is losing its case, and such actions are empowering the narratives of armed groups,' he warned. The JUI-F leader alleged that past legal reforms, including those under former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, had targeted religious values. 'The bottom line is that hurdles are being placed in the way of legitimate marriage while ease is being created for fornication,' he said, adding that the Council of Islamic Ideology had already rejected the proposed child marriage law. Also Read: Bilawal-led delegation in US to brief Pakistan's stance on Indian aggression Declaring a nationwide protest against the bill, Fazl said, 'We will present our viewpoint to the world.' Commenting on geopolitical matters, he claimed the world had entered a new Cold War era. 'Asia, under China's leadership, is emerging as a new economic power. After 9/11, we spoke of a global revolution. Now we are in a new phase,' he said. Fazl also took aim at India, stating that 'Modi's foolishness has pushed the region towards war' and that initial hopes for peaceful conflict resolution between Pakistan and India had diminished. In a lighter moment, he took a swipe at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), saying, 'I'm reminded of a joke—PPP is protesting against PTI because they've broken even the corruption records of the People's Party.' On regional cooperation, he noted the importance of ties with Afghanistan and suggested that extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan and other countries would be a positive development. What is Child Marriage Bill? President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 into law, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years in the federal capital. The new legislation criminalises the solemnisation of marriages where either the boy or girl is underage. Under the law, no Nikah khuwan (marriage officiant) may conduct a marriage involving minors, with violations punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000. Additionally, a man over 18 who marries an underage girl may face up to three years of rigorous imprisonment. The bill also empowers courts to intervene if informed of an underage marriage, including protecting the identity of those reporting such cases. The bill was initially introduced in the National Assembly by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui and later presented in the Senate by Senator Sherry Rehman. However, the legislation faced opposition from the CII, which declared the bill contrary to Islamic principles. The CII, in its advisory response, objected to the bill by arguing that Islamic jurisprudence permits the marriage of girls once they attain puberty, regardless of age. The council maintains that setting a fixed minimum age of 18 for marriage contradicts certain religious interpretations and therefore should not be made legally binding.
Business Recorder
3 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.
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CII declares underage marriage bill ‘un-Islamic'
Listen to article The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Tuesday rejected a bill banning marriage under the age of 18, calling it 'un-Islamic' and incompatible with Sharia law. The bill, recently passed by the National Assembly and endorsed by the Senate, aimed to outlaw child marriages in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), criminalising unions involving anyone under 18. The CII said the legislation's provision to define underage marriage as rape and impose punishments contradicted Islamic teachings. In its latest meeting, the council criticised the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government's proposed 'Child Marriage Prohibition Bill 2025,' arguing it was contrary to Sharia, expressing concern that the legislation had not been sent to the CII for review prior to its presentation in parliament. Read more: NA passes bill criminalising child marriage It concluded with a formal statement rejecting the federal bill, originally tabled by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Sharmila Farooqui. Additionally, the council expressed that while thalassemia testing before marriage could be encouraged, it should not be made mandatory. It emphasised the importance of keeping marriage procedures free from unnecessary complexities, in accordance with Islamic principles. The council was referring to the Sindh Prevention and Control of Thalassemia Act 2013, which makes it mandatory for couples to undergo thalassemia testing before marriage. It also condemned societal pressure on families—particularly brides—to provide dowries, calling the practice un-Islamic. Read more: Fazlur Rehman warns of protests over underage marriage ban bill The council said women should be allowed to retain either their husband's or parents' domicile after marriage. It reiterated that, under Islamic law, a husband is not financially liable for his divorced wife following the completion of her Iddat (waiting period). The CII also announced the formation of a committee to review and propose amendments to Section 7 of the 'Muslim Family Laws Amendment Bill 2025,' following a request from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Separately, the council reviewed inquiries from the National Accountability Bureau on issues related to investments, housing schemes, and Islamic profit-sharing arrangements such as Mudarabah.
