ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has signed into law a landmark bill aimed at prohibiting child marriages across Pakistan.
The legislation, officially titled The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, sets the minimum legal age for marriage at 18 for both boys and girls.
Under the new law, any marriage involving individuals under the age of 18 will be considered illegal. It specifically prohibits Nikah Khawans (marriage officiants) from solemnizing such marriages. Violation of this provision will result in one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to PKR 100,000.
The law further stipulates that if an adult male (over 18) marries a minor girl, he will face rigorous imprisonment of up to three years.
The bill was initially presented in the National Assembly by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqi, and later championed in the Senate by Senator Sherry Rehman. The passage of the bill has been welcomed by human rights activists and child welfare organizations across the country.
Additionally, the law empowers courts to intervene and issue orders to prevent child marriages if credible information is received. Individuals reporting such cases will be allowed to withhold their identity, and courts will be responsible for ensuring their protection.
This legislative move is seen as a significant step forward in safeguarding children’s rights and curbing forced and early marriages in Pakistan.
