President Zardari Approves Legislation to Ban Child Marriage

ISLAMABAD (RNN TV) — President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday signed the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025, into law, officially setting the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 years. This landmark legislation aims to curb underage marriages and protect the rights of children and women across Pakistan.

Under the new law, no Nikah khuwan (marriage officiant) is permitted to solemnize a marriage if either the bride or groom is below 18 years of age. Violators face imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of Rs100,000. Additionally, any adult man marrying an underage girl can be sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for up to three years.

The bill further empowers courts to intervene in cases where underage marriages are discovered. It also allows individuals who report such cases to maintain anonymity, with courts obligated to ensure their protection.

Senator Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) hailed President Zardari’s decision as a significant step forward in combating child marriage. She described the signing as a “milestone” in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the rights of women and children and highlighted the president’s courage in approving the bill despite facing considerable pressure.

“This legislation represents more than just legal reform; it is a commitment to securing education, health, and dignity for every girl,” Rehman stated. She called the law a beacon of hope for future generations, emphasizing that banning child marriage will improve access to education and healthcare for young girls across the country.

Rehman also urged other provinces to follow the federal government and Sindh’s lead in adopting similar progressive laws to eliminate underage marriage nationwide.

The bill was initially introduced in the National Assembly by PPP’s Sharmila Faruqui and later brought before the Senate by Senator Rehman.

However, the legislation faced opposition from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), which rejected the bill, declaring it inconsistent with Islamic teachings. In a statement released after a recent meeting chaired by Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, the CII said that setting a fixed marriage age of 18 and criminalizing marriages below this age contradicted Islamic injunctions.

While the CII acknowledged the need to discourage early marriages, it criticized the bill for not being referred to the council for review prior to approval. The council’s official statement described the Child Marriage Restraint Bill as “un-Islamic” in its entirety.

In addition, members of the Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) opposed the bill during Senate proceedings.

Pakistan currently ranks sixth globally in the number of child brides, with approximately 19 million girls married before they turn 18. Studies indicate that nearly half of these girls become pregnant before reaching adulthood. The bill aims to address these issues, as only 13% of married girls complete secondary education compared to 44% of their unmarried peers, severely limiting their opportunities for independence and empowerment.

Source: Web Desk