President Asif Ali Zardari made history today when he signed into law the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025, officially prohibiting marriage under 18 within Pakistan’s federal capital of Islamabad. This legislation had previously passed both houses of Parliament earlier this month. This step forward represents an important milestone towards safeguarding children’s rights across Pakistan. Business Standard Dawn This new law sets the minimum legal marriage age at 18 for both males and females, up from 16 for girls previously. Furthermore, it includes stringent penalties for violations: Nikah registrars who officiate underage marriages may face up to one year in prison and a fine of Rs100,000, while adult men marrying underage girls may receive up to three years rigorous imprisonment; any sexual relations occurring during such marriages will be considered statutory rape. www.christiandaily.com + 2 www.christiandaily.com + 2 mes www.christiandaily.com + 2 Dunya News +2 www.christiandaily.com + 2 dvs www.christiandaily.com + 2 www.christiandaily.com +2 www.christiandaily.com +2 www.christiandaily.com +2 +2 The legislation also empowers courts to proactively prevent child marriages. When authorities receive notice of an underage wedding ceremony planned, they can issue orders halting it. Furthermore, it includes provisions protecting whistleblower anonymity as well as mandating that trials be concluded within 90 days. Senator Sherry Rehman, who championed the bill in the Senate, hailed its passage as a symbolic of Pakistan’s new era of reforms and pledged that she is dedicated to ensure girls have access to education, health services and prosperous lives. Dawn:Business Standard Religious groups voiced strong criticism against the bill, including the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), who claimed setting 18 as the minimum marriage age violates Islamic law. Maulana Jalaluddin of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) denounced it as a “western conspiracy,” and advised President Mamnoon not to sign it, according to The Guardian, Business Standard and Dawn newspapers. Proponents of the bill, including PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqi of PPP, countered that its implications should be seen through human rights rather than religious lenses. They pointed to a 2022 ruling by the Federal Shariat Court which upheld state authority to set minimum marriage ages, according to Licas News (Dawn) as evidence for such authority being granted. They cited Wikipedia for this detail (Biz Standard/Business Standard = 1) Child marriage remains a pressing concern in Pakistan. According to a 2018 demographic survey, 29% of Pakistani girls marry before turning 18. Early marriage can pose severe health risks and educational setbacks as well as increased risks from domestic abuse, according to The Guardian and Wikipedia respectively. Now that the federal capital has implemented this ban, activists hope other provinces will follow suit and complete the nationwide eradication of child marriage. Sindh province already passed similar legislation and there is increasing momentum toward wider reforms across Pakistan. President Zardari’s signing of the bill assenting to children’s rights has been widely welcomed, signaling Pakistan’s commitment to align its laws with international human rights standards.
